 |
Just in general, don't risk your life on machines operated and maintained by people who look like this. TV's bad, but it won't kill you . . . |
Posted on 04/03/2004 11:18:35 AM PST by nuconvert
Ride Accident Hurts Seven People, One Critically, at Miami-Dade County Fair
Apr 3, 2004
The Associated Press
MIAMI (AP) - An amusement ride broke open and ejected some passengers at a county fair, injuring seven people, including a teenage girl 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 pins passengers against its perimeter with centrifugal forces.
Three passengers were hurtled into the fairgrounds from a breach that opened when the structure broke apart, officials said. How far they were thrown, and how many passengers were on the ride was not immediately clear.
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, said Liz Compton, a Department of Agriculture spokeswoman. The ride was impounded during the investigation of the accident.
The fairgrounds were closed following the accident and reopened at normal hours Saturday.
Agriculture officials do not believe the "Gravitron" ride has not 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 if so.
|
Just in general, don't risk your life on machines operated and maintained by people who look like this. TV's bad, but it won't kill you . . . |
I always thought the travelling rides of my youth were more thrilling than the plastic overengineered wizbangs of the theme parks, because there was a significant cance you might actually die.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
