Ride Malfunctions At Ohio State Fair – 1 Death And Several Injuries

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A man has died and several others injured when a ride malfunctioned at the Ohio State Fair on Wednesday.

Five of the injured are listed in critical condition; two are in stable condition.

Ohio Department of Agriculture Officials identified the ride as the “Fire Ball”.

The Ohio State Fair confirmed the incident occured with a post on Twitter:

There has been a report of a ride incident. We are investigating and will report information as available.

— Ohio State Fair (@OhioStateFair) July 26, 2017

Columbus Battalion Chief Steve Martin said that some of the victims were thrown from the ride.

Dr. David C. Evans, Trauma Medical Director at The Ohio State University told media they are evaluating three patients at the hospital. He indicated the injured suffered wounds after being ejected from the ride at a high rate of speed – possibly from 30 feet from the air.

He noted they are in the process of notifying family members and that the patients could expect to stay in the hospital for up to a week.

All the rides were shut down and the ride in question was inspected multiple times before the fair’s opening.

Officials say the ride was owned and operated by a company called Amusements of America based in New Jersey. On its website, the company says that since its debut in 2002, the Fire Ball has become “one of the most popular thrill rides on the AOA Midway.”

Dramatic video footage was reportedly captured by an eyewitness that shows the ride swinging back and forth like a pendulum and spinning in the air when it crashes into something and part of the ride flies off, throwing riders to the ground.

No immediate information about the ages or identities of those involved.