Two Children Fall from Ferris Wheel at Chelsea Community Fair

Two Children Fall from Chelsea Community Fair Ferris Wheel

Witnesses recalled the horrible sight that occurred on Thursday evening at the Chelsea Community Fair when two children fell from a moving Ferris wheel.  The children were seen falling in midair about 15-20 feet off of the ground when their “bucket” became entangled with another bucket on the Ferris wheel.  Apparently, their bucket or cab on the Ferris wheel got caught on a nearby cab and tipped the children forward.  The two were immediately taken to Mott Children’s Hospital in critical condition.  As of Friday morning, there was no further word on the children’s state.

Families on Their Way to Ride Ferris Wheel Watch in Horror

Several people saw the horrific incident take place, including Katie Wyss, of Chelsea, who says she and her children were on their way to ride the Ferris wheel when they saw something falling through the air.  They soon realized that it was people falling, including an 8-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl.  The boy was bleeding, but conscious on the ground while the girl was not moving after landing.  The Huron Valley Ambulance responded quickly, taking the children away on stretchers, and there were also two doctors at the fair to assist.  The fair was scheduled to reopen today but there was no word on whether the Ferris wheel would also be open.

Amusement Park Rides Responsible for Thousands of Injuries Per Year

A study published in the journal Pediatrics looked at amusement park injuries on all types of rides. Specifically, the researchers looked at 4,400 injuries per year or 20 injuries per day. When the researchers reviewed emergency room records, they found that the most common types of rides attributable to children’s injuries included carousels at 20%; roller coasters at 10%; and bumper cars at nearly 4%. It is important to remember that it isn’t always the fastest rides that can cause the worst injuries, and to proceed with great caution when enjoying a ride at a fair or amusement park.