Teen thrown through air and killed as thrill ride at fair breaks up
A TEENAGER was killed and seven other people injured when a fairground ride broke apart and hurled terrified passengers into the air.
Tragedy struck when an entire row of seats detached from the Fire Ball thrill ride at the bottom of a swing on the opening day of the Ohio State Fair.
Some riders, who were strapped into rotating carriages which swing back and forth like a pendulum, plunged to the ground with the seat section.
At least two others were sent flying into the air. Fire chief Steve Martin said an 18-year-old died after being slammed to the ground about 50ft from the ride.
Three of the injured were said to be fighting for their lives yesterday, including another person seen ‘flying’ from the ride. One of those treated at the scene was a child aged under 13.
One witness told The Columbus Dispatch he heard a loud sound of metal cracking then saw two men being thrown from the ride. Rhonda Burgess said one of her three sons was in the queue at the ride next to the one that malfunctioned.
‘The ride had four riders per cart,’ she said. ‘This piece snapped off and the riders came out of the cart.
‘At least two people flew through the air at least 20 feet before landing on their backs on the concrete.’
Another witness posted a video on Instagram, along with the caption: ‘Sad day here at the Ohio State Fair... Lord help their families’. The ride’s operator, Amusements of America, says the Fire Ball swings riders 40ft above the ground while spinning them at 13 revolutions per minute. According to the company’s website, the Fire Ball, described as an ‘aggressive thrill’ ride, opened in 2002 and has become one of its most popular attractions.
Inspections were reportedly delayed by recent rain, but Michael Vartorella, the state’s chief inspector of amusement ride safety, said the Fire Ball was checked three or four times before the fair started.
State Governor John Kasich said: ‘I am terribly saddened by this accident ... I have ordered a full investigation into this incident and have ordered that all fair rides be shut down until additional safety inspections can be completed.’