Fair opens day after ‘thrill ride’ tragedy

THE OHIO State Fair will reopen after a man was killed and seven were injured when a ‘thrill ride’ broke apart, but the rides will not be running until they all are deemed safe.

Video captured by a bystander at the fair on Wednesday evening shows the Fire Ball ride swinging back and forth like a pendulum and spinning in the air when it crashes and part of the ride flies off. Screams are heard as passengers are thrown to the ground.

“The fair is about the best things in life, and tonight with this accident it becomes a terrible, terrible tragedy,” said Republican governor John Kasich.

Officials said the man who was killed was one of several people thrown to the ground when the ride malfunctioned. They have not released his name. Ohio State Medical Centre said three of the injured were being treated there. Two of them were in critical condition, the hospital said.

Officials did not know what caused the ride to break apart, saying the investigation was ongoing.

“Of course we want to get to the bottom of this,” Mr Kasich said, noting that there could be things to be learned that could help other fairs and amusement parks. “Make no mistake about it, it’s a very, very sad night for all of us.”

Kaylie Bellomy was in the next group waiting to board the Fire Ball.

“It was going for a minute and it was at its highest point and I saw somebody fall on the ride, and then a minute later the whole like row of seats fell off and hit the ground,” she told TV reporters.

A company providing rides at the Ohio State Fair this year describes the Fire Ball as an “aggressive thrill ride”.