Lancet Jades
04-04-2004, 08:34 AM
Apr 4, 12:29 AM EST
Amusement Ride Accident Injures 7 in Fla.
MIAMI (AP) -- An amusement ride broke open and ejected several passengers at a county fair, injuring seven people including a teenage girl who was in critical condition.
A piece of paneling came off "The Gravitron" while it was running late Friday, Miami-Dade police spokesman Juan DelCastillo said Saturday. The ride spins at high speed to generate centrifugal force that pins seated passengers against its interior wall.
A bolt that held the panel in place sheared, said Liz Compton, a Department of Agriculture spokeswoman.
About 40 to 45 people were on the ride when the accident happened, said Phil Clark, chief executive of the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition.
Three of the passengers were hurled out through the opening left by the panel, DelCastillo said. There was no immediate word on how far the three people were thrown.
A 16-year-old girl who suffered head and upper body injuries was in critical condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital, DelCastillo said. Six other people suffered injuries that weren't life threatening.
The ride passed inspection before the fair opened March 18, Compton said.
The fairground was closed after the accident but reopened for normal hours Saturday. The ride was impounded and an engineer planned to inspect it on Monday.
Agriculture officials do not believe the "Gravitron" has been involved in any other accidents in the state, but the agency was trying to learn if any other fairs were using a similar ride. Those rides would be re-inspected.
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Amusement Ride Accident Injures 7 in Fla.
MIAMI (AP) -- An amusement ride broke open and ejected several passengers at a county fair, injuring seven people including a teenage girl who was in critical condition.
A piece of paneling came off "The Gravitron" while it was running late Friday, Miami-Dade police spokesman Juan DelCastillo said Saturday. The ride spins at high speed to generate centrifugal force that pins seated passengers against its interior wall.
A bolt that held the panel in place sheared, said Liz Compton, a Department of Agriculture spokeswoman.
About 40 to 45 people were on the ride when the accident happened, said Phil Clark, chief executive of the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition.
Three of the passengers were hurled out through the opening left by the panel, DelCastillo said. There was no immediate word on how far the three people were thrown.
A 16-year-old girl who suffered head and upper body injuries was in critical condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital, DelCastillo said. Six other people suffered injuries that weren't life threatening.
The ride passed inspection before the fair opened March 18, Compton said.
The fairground was closed after the accident but reopened for normal hours Saturday. The ride was impounded and an engineer planned to inspect it on Monday.
Agriculture officials do not believe the "Gravitron" has been involved in any other accidents in the state, but the agency was trying to learn if any other fairs were using a similar ride. Those rides would be re-inspected.
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved.