Ohio State Fair Accident: One Killed and Five Injured on Fireball Ride

Image source Wikimedia

One person died and five others are critically injured after a reported ride malfunction at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus.

Fire chief Steve Martin told local media outlets that victims were thrown from the “fireball” spinning pendulum ride.

Ohio Governor John Kasich confirmed at least one death, and said he had ordered all fair rides shut until safety inspections were carried out.

The governor also said a full investigation would be carried out.

The fireball ride swings from side to side while simultaneously spinning passengers in circles at high speed. It is known by the name “afterburner” in European markets.

Speaking to reporters, a doctor treating some victims said: “Passengers were ejected at high speed with high energy, many feet – at least 20 or 30, if not more – into the air, and then crashed at a significant distance from the ride.”

He said the speed of the impact could be similar to a vehicle crash.

Image source Wikimedia

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A video circulating online appeared to show one passenger carriage breaking loose near the bottom of its pendulum swing, tossing passengers into the air as it rose again.

The video has not been independently verified.

The Ohio State Fair confirmed on Twitter that there was “a report of a ride incident” but provided no further details.

Local NBC affiliate WCMH reported that one of the injured is a 13-year-old child. Multiple local news outlets have said the deceased is an 18-year-old.

The accident took place on July 26, the opening day of the fair.

The Columbus Dispatch reported that safety inspections of the rides had taken place earlier in the week.

Chief inspector Mike Vartorella said: “My grandchildren ride this equipment… our guys do not rush through this stuff. We look at it, we take care of it, we pretend it’s our own.”

Mike Vartorella said the ride was inspected “three or four times” in the past two days by both his own inspectors and a “third party”.

Nancy Clayson

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