Seaside Heights Roller Coaster Swept Into The Ocean By Sandy To Be Removed

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A roller coaster partially submerged in the Atlantic Ocean has been drawing curious onlookers since the structure was swept off a New Jersey amusement pier by Superstorm Sandy.

However, Seaside Heights Mayor Bill Akers said the Jet Star Roller Coaster won't remain as a tourist attraction as it currently stands.

The town and owners of the Casino Pier are assessing the damage and are in talks to remove what remains of the ride.

"The roller coaster will be removed, but it's going to be up to the insurance company when and how because it's not going to be an easy task," Akers said. "It's a pretty huge structure that's in there right now."

The coaster has become an infamous image of Sandy's destruction.

"We are having a lot of trouble right now with people trying to sneak onto our beach because our boardwalk is completely gone and have a picture standing next to this roller coaster in the background," Akers said.

Last week, Akers told a TV station that the coaster would make a "great tourist attraction,'' but the mayor told 1010 WINS that his comment was misunderstood and he thinks the roller coaster needs to come down.

"I said it's made of metal, it's going to corrode and break apart into the ocean which we can't have so it does have to be removed, but I said for pictures it seems to be the biggest picture that is out there right now from this God-awful storm," Akers said.

The mayor said as long as the weather cooperates, construction of a new boardwalk should begin in January and be ready by May.