COLUMBUS (AP) — An owner of the company providing rides at the Ohio State Fair thinks a mechanical failure caused a thrill ride to break apart, killing an 18-year-old man.
The news came as the remaining midway rides reopened after passing inspections in the wake of the accident.
Amusements of America co-owner John Vivona told WCMH-TV in Columbus on Friday the company is “devastated.” He’s convinced the Fire Ball accident Wednesday was a mechanical failure and not a problem with the ride’s operators or inspections. He says state and third-party inspectors examined the ride before the fair opened that day.
Tyler Jarrell, of Columbus, was killed and seven people were injured, several critically, when the swinging and spinning ride broke apart. A coroner says Jarrell died from blunt force trauma. He would have been a high school senior and recently enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Jarrell’s family says it has retained an attorney and may file a lawsuit over the incident.
State fair officials announced that all the other rides reopened at 10:00 a.m. Sunday. Kiddieland Rides, the Sky Glider and the Giant Slide had reopened Saturday.