The Ohio State Fair, one of the largest in the nation, draws thousands of people for its fried food and thrilling amusement rides. The “aggressive thrill” ride at the carnival, called the Fire Ball, was a crowd favorite for its fierce swoops and circular swings. Unfortunately, on July 27, 2017, this crowd-thriller turned lethal as it snapped in motion.
The Fire Ball consists of approximately six rows of seats that spin at least 40-feet above the ground as the structure swoops like a pendulum. According to the Amusements of America, the thrill ride spins at 13 revolutions per minute. That day, the carts were spinning 20 feet above the ground when the ride snapped and caused several riders to fly out of the cart.
Several victims were taken to Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, one of which was in critical condition. The center’s medical director noted how helpful it was to see video of the incident on social media, as it guided physician toward diagnosing certain types of injuries. However, one of the eight victims did not survive the crash.
The Fire Ball was debuted in 2002 and manufactured by KMG. A ride inspector with the Ohio Department of Agriculture reported that the Fire Ball was inspected three or four times before the fair began. It was further declared, that safety checks were thoroughly conducted, and therefore, the malfunction was tragically unexpected.
After the incident, the fair rides were immediately shut down. However, most were reportedly reopened after further inspections.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of an accident at an amusement park or waterpark, the law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner can assist with your claim. Call us today at (713) 222-7211 or 713-222-7211 for your free consultation.