The State of Ohio is Forming a New Committee to Inspect Amusement Park Rides After Fire Ball Ride Broke Apart

Last year, hundreds of individuals attended the Ohio State Fair along with their friends and family, enjoying the amusement park and the thrilling rides it had to offer. While everything was fun and games, things took a turn south when the Fire Ball ride broke apart, throwing a carriage carrying four passengers off into the air. Eighteen-year-old Tyler Jarrell was killed as a result and seven others suffered injuries. As a result of the incident, many have developed a negative perception toward amusement park rides after a video of the shocking event went viral for the entire world to see. 

Ride operators now refer to the accident as a “black eye” for the industry as it has left many feeling leery of stepping foot onto another ride, and with good reason. While you may be sharing some of these same negative feelings, U.S. News recently reported that the state advisory board is taking the initiative to ensure that the amusement ride inspection process is handled properly. In return, they hope this will help improve the public’s perception regarding ride safety. 

The state advisory board is going to be forming a new committee that is expected to review the ride inspection process to ensure all safety measures are being met and that these rides aren’t being put into operational mode unless they pass their inspections. It was determined that the Fire Ball ride malfunctioned because there was excessive corrosion of a support beam, something that would have served as a red flag had it been inspected properly. According to the news source, this new committee is going to consist of ride industry officials and others who have been approved by the state agricultural department. While it might take longer for an amusement park to be given the “okay” to open, at least the level of risk will decrease and riders can feel more confident in knowing that the machine was thoroughly inspected. 

Accidents in Public Places 

While this traumatic incident was one to never be forgotten, it is important for residents of Columbus, OH to be aware that an accident can occur in any public place. Slip and fall accidents occur all the time in different stores and on government property. Construction workers are also subjected to dangerous conditions as well which has led to the industry becoming one of the most dangerous to work in. While many of the incidents that occur in public can be prevented, majority occur because someone was negligent in doing their job. 

If you or someone you know was harmed in a public place or on government property in Columbus, Ohio, personal injury lawyer E. Ray Critchett is available to provide you with the advice you will need on how to proceed with handling the matter. You may be entitled to collect compensation, but may be required to file a personal injury lawsuit or even an insurance claim. This can sometimes be rather confusing and you don’t want to risk losing out on what you deserve simply because you aren’t familiar with the process to follow. Therefore, we encourage you to contact E. Ray Critchett, LLC by calling 740-282-5393 to get your consultation setup where you will be given the opportunity to discuss your matter in detail.