Safety questions raised over rides at fairs, amusement parks

by cc-admin · August 17, 2015

NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) –

Two incidents at two separate family attractions over the weekend raised questions over who is responsible for making sure amusement rides are safe.

A crack developed in the track of the Kiddie Dragon Coaster at Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, KY, according to an inspector with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

“A lot of people stood there with their mouths open,” said Jamin Craig, who witnessed the incident.

Craig said the gap widened after the train made its first loop on the track.

“When I saw this roller coaster derail, one of my first thoughts was, oh my gosh, this park really needs help in the maintenance department,” Craig said.

Beech Bend Park issued the following statement concerning the incident.

A mechanical problem on the Kiddie Dragon Coaster caused the ride to stop its cycle and roll backwards, causing a guide wheel to displace. The ride had been previously inspected and met all requirements. No injuries were reported and the ride has been closed for further inspections.

The issue marks the second incident at Beech Bend Park this summer. In July, 12 people were treated for injuries after a swing ride overturned.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture oversees amusement parks like Beech Bend. Inspectors said they check the rides the month before the park opens every year, but they expect companies to inspect rides every day.

Inspectors chalk up the latest malfunction to a “strand of bad luck.”

“We could check it today and something breaks tomorrow,” said Chad Halsey, a manager with the Division of Regulation & Inspection. “That’s part of being a piece of equipment. Things happen.”

Halsey also compared riding amusement park rides to automobiles.

“When you buy a brand new car, there’s no guarantee you’ll get home,” Halsey said. “You’re dealing with equipment just like your vehicle.”

Halsey said the department is still investigating what led the swing ride to tip.

The Channel 4 I-Team filed an open records request with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for inspection reports at Beech Bend dating back to 2011. A spokesperson said its unclear when those reports might be ready. She could not immediately say whether the park has ever faced violations.

But not every incident stems from mechanical issues. Sue Louis, of Hermitage, blames human error for her 4-year-old son’s bruises and scratches.

“I was terrified,” Louis said. “I thought it was going to be much, much worse.”

Louis and her family visited the Wilson County Fair on Sunday. She said the Hampton VW kiddie ride started before her son, Shane, was properly secured.

“He stood up to get in the seat belt with his sister and the ride just took off and slung him out,” Louis said. She claims her son was dragged for approximately 20 seconds before an operator stopped the ride.

She added Shane’s father pulled the boy back into the ride.

In Tennessee, the Department of Labor issues permits for amusement devices, but carnivals often hire third-party inspectors. In turn, that company must provide the state with insurance and proof of inspections.

The Wilson County Fair works with a company called Amusement Risk Management. A spokesperson said the operator has been reprimanded, but couldn’t immediately say how long he had been working that day or describe the extent of his training.

“We would do everything to make sure our ride operators have the proper training and do the proper things,” said Jerry Smithson, of Amusement Risk Management. “We also do everything humanly possible to make sure the rides themselves are safe through maintenance and inspections.”

Smithson said the operator stopped the ride as soon as he could.

If the situation happens again, the operator will be fired, according to Smithson.

Louis said the incident could have been prevented.

“This is something the attendant should have been watching for, I don’t think the ride could have malfunctioned one bit,” Louis said.

Jeff Hentschel, a spokesperson with the Tennessee Department of Labor, said there is no record of any amusement device at the Wilson County Fair shutting down due to safety issues.

Hentschel also said that each company at the fair currently possesses the proper permits for their amusement devices.

Source: NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) Channel 4
Safety questions raised over rides at fairs, amusement parks