A young boy (10) suffered significant injuries Sunday after falling from a carnival ride at an Illinois festival, sparking an inquiry by municipal and state authorities.
The boy was riding the Moby Dick attraction at the Taste of Summer Festival in Antioch, Illinois on Sunday when he fell from the ride at approximately 2:40 p.m., according to reports.
Police reported that he had many facial and jaw fractures in addition to a serious leg injury. According to police, the injuries are significant but not life-threatening.
The child was airlifted to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge before being moved to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago, where he underwent surgery, according to reports.
Antioch is located on the Illinois-Wisconsin border, approximately 55 miles northwest of Chicago.
Officers promptly secured the ride “to ensure no tampering occurred,” according to the reports, and requested that an investigator from the Illinois Department of Labor arrive on the scene.
According to its website, the department’s Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Division oversees inspecting and approving applications for public rides throughout the state.
According to reports, the labor department issued a “Stop Order” for the Moby Dick ride, forbidding further operation until a thorough “bolt by bolt” check is performed.
Authorities in Antioch are apparently looking into whether any criminally careless or irresponsible behavior played a role in the tragedy.
Fairs, festivals, carnivals, and other similar events offer guests exhilarating rides, magnificent landscapes, and a variety of other things. When you step foot on a smaller-scale operation, such as a state fair or carnivals, there should be no surprise about the dangers that could emerge from carelessness or negligence. Unfortunately, when ignorance and excitement combine, the outcome can be anything but pleasant, resulting in severe physical pain and even wrongful death. If you or a loved one has been hurt at a fair, carnival, theme park, or another place due to negligence on the part of the owner or operator, our Florida Amusement Park Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton are dedicated to supporting you.
When approaching any kind of ride at a festival or carnival, here are a few pointers:
- When you get at your destination, take a glance around and take note of any cleanliness issues. Do they collect trash? Do they have structured lines? The little things like these can reveal a lot about the type of business you are visiting; if they are skimping on these things, they are probably not fully committed to offering a secure atmosphere for guests.
- Examine the rides for any signs of deterioration. Inspect the metal for any signs of rusting or improper welding. Anything that lacks a professional appearance could not be secure.
- Before you ride, observe the ride in action a few times. Make sure everything appears to be operating as it should.
- Pay attention to the ride for any odd sounds – if you hear any weird rattling or clinking, then this could be a warning sign that the ride may be about to break down.
- Check to see if the staff running the rides are paying attention to the passengers. Are they ensuring that passengers are appropriately seated? Are they loading passengers onto the rides and monitoring their safety? Do they assist them in exiting the ride?
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