Gregory Lynthacum of Washington County, TN said he saw three young girls fall from the Ferris Wheel when their vehicle appeared to get caught as the wheel lifted them upwards spilling them out.
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Three children are reported to have fallen out of a Ferris wheel at the Greene County Fair in Tennessee, Aug. 8, 2016. But the accident that left a 6-year-old girl with a traumatic brain injury sharpened the focus Tuesday on how carnival ride operators are regulated.
The oldest of the girls is 16, police said, though no other information about them was immediately provided.
Another witness said he saw the girls “bounce off the metal bridging of the ride” before they hit the ground some 12 metres below.
After a 2014 audit found shortcomings in Tennessee’s regulatory program for rides at fairs and amusement parks, state officials chose to get out of the inspection business altogether.
He said the fair board also is hiring its own third-party investigator.
The incident took place about 6:15 p.m. Monday at the Greene County Fair in Greeneville, Tenn.
Dr. Bracken Burns, director of trauma services for Johnson City Medical Center, said the critically injured 6-year-old was in the seat with her 10-year-old sister and a 16-year-old female, who were both in stable condition Tuesday.
Burns said the 10-year-old suffered injuries to her forearms.
According to the Greeneville Sun, all rides at the fair will remain closed until independent inspectors complete their safety examinations.
Authorities are investigating. Inspectors are checking the ride to see if there were any mechanical issues.
With summer comes county fairs across the USA and accidents on amusement rides.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the three individuals and their families”, Holt said.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened”, the post said.
According to an email from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the company – Family Attractions Amusement Company, out of Valdosta, Ga. – was last inspected on June 21.
He said it’s too early to consider criminal charges in the incident.
“It was like watching water pouring from a glass”.
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A witness told ABC News she screamed at the operator to shut down the ride.
