OC Fair Shuts Down G Force Ride after Deadly Accident in Ohio
OC Fair officials have shut down the G Force ride after a fatal accident involving a similar ride in Ohio. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the ride has been taken apart and is undergoing inspection. A spokeswoman for the OC Fair said as soon as they heard of the deadly accident in Ohio, they knew their ride was similar. So, they elected to shut it down.
Ohio Fair Accident Raises Fears
The G Force ride essentially spins and swings riders through the air. Tyler Jarell, 18, of Columbus, Ohio, died and seven others were injured at the Ohio State Fair when the Fire Ball ride malfunctioned and sent riders into the air. The Ohio fair is one of the largest in the country. Fire Ball rides have also been shut down in six parks across California including Knott’s Berry Farm, according to a statement from the California Department of Industrial Relations.
The Amusement Ride and Tramway Unit of the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health contacted several ride owners including OC Fair asking them to shut down until they get further clearance from its manufacturer, RCS Fun. OC Fair officials say each of the fair’s 66 rides is inspected everyday by an independent inspection company or by RCS Fun employees in addition to annual state inspections.
Ride Accident Dangers
According to a recent study published in May 2013 in the journal Clinical Pediatrics, researchers found that between 1990 and 2010, there were 92,885 children under 18 who were treated for amusement park type injuries – be it at fixed-site rides at major amusement parks or mobile rides such as those as state fairs or carnivals.
More than 70 percent of these issues occurred during the summer months when state fairs are held and when amusement parks experience peak traffic. These accident injuries ranged from head and neck problems to injuries to the face, arms and legs. Soft-tissue injuries such as damage to the ligaments, muscles and tendons, were the most common. Data showed that even mall rides could pose serious hazards.
Liability Issues
When an amusement park or carnival ride causes an injury or death, there are a number of parties that can be held liable. When such an accident occurs at the fair, the administrators, ride operators and other parties may be held financially responsible for the injuries, damages and losses caused. Injured victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Families of deceased victims may also be able to seek compensation by filing a wrongful death lawsuit. An experienced amusement park accident lawyer can help injured victims and their families better understand their legal rights and options.