COLUMBUS (WCMH/AP) — A swinging and spinning amusement park ride called the Fire Ball broke apart on the opening day of the Ohio State Fair on Wednesday, hurling people through the air, killing at least one and injuring seven others.
Columbus Division of Fire says one person is dead and three critically injured after a ride malfunctioned at the Ohio State Fair.
“The fair is about the best things in life, and tonight with this accident it becomes a terrible, terrible tragedy,” said Republican Gov. John Kasich.
The man who was killed was one of several people who were thrown when the ride malfunctioned, Columbus Fire Battalion Chief Steve Martin said earlier.
Battalion Chief Steve Martin said at least two people are in stable condition. One of those injured is a 13-year-old child.
Martin says one of the rows of seats on the Fire Ball ride “snapped off.”
Amusements of America is the company providing rides at the State Fair this year. More information about the Fire Ball can be found on their website. It is described as an “aggressive thrill ride.”
Dramatic video captured by a bystander 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.
On its website, Amusements of America says that since its debut in 2002, the Fire Ball has become “one of the most popular thrill rides on the AOA Midway.” The company description of the ride says it swings riders 40 feet (12 meters) above the midway while spinning them at 13 revolutions per minute.
The company did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.
Kasich said he has ordered a full investigation and also ordered that all fair rides be shut down until additional safety inspections can be completed.
The fair did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. In a post on its Twitter page it said: “There has been a report of a ride incident. We are investigating and will report information as available.”
Wednesday was the opening day for the Fair, which runs until Aug. 6.
KRON4’s affiliate WCMH has obtained cell phone video of the accident.
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