Ohio State Fair “Fireball” Ride Kills 1 & Injures 7

COLUMBUS, Ohio – One person has died and another seven were injured after a ride malfunctioned at the Ohio State Fair, according to the Columbus Division of Fire. The malfunction happened Wednesday evening.

The man who was killed was one of several people thrown from the ride when it malfunctioned, Columbus Fire Battalion Chief Steve Martin said. The victims range in age from 13 to 41 years old, Fox 28 reported. Of the 7 injured, five were listed in critical condition.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich ordered all rides at the state fair in Columbus to be shut down until thorough inspections are completed.

According to Dr. David Evans of Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, the victims were likely thrown 20 to 30 feet.

“Multiple passengers were ejected at high speed with high energy, many feet – at least 20 or 30, if not more – into the air and then crashed at a significant distance from the ride,” he said.

The cause of the malfunction was unclear. Recent storms and flooding forced inspectors to work long hours in recent days, ensuring the rides were in good working shape, the Columbus Dispatch reported.

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