Delaware State Fair closes ride similar to one that killed man in Ohio
Officials at the Delaware State Fair closed the Extreme, a ride similar to the Fire Ball ride that killed one person and injured others at the Ohio State Fair this week.
"It is not the same ride, but similar enough that we have hit the pause button," said Danny Aguilar, director of marketing at the Delaware State Fair. "Wade Shows have taken the ride apart and it is suspended until we can inspect it closer and ensure it's safe."
The Fire Ball malfunctioned Wednesday in Columbus when the ride broke apart with passengers being thrown off the attraction.
The Fire Ball is a claw shaped attraction that can swing passengers 40 feet above the ground and spin them 13 revolutions per minute.
Wade Shows, supplier of rides for the Delaware State Fair, describes the Extreme as "a high flying thrill ride that spins riders 360 degrees while swinging them 50 feet above the midway."
The Extreme is constructed differently than the Fire Ball, allowing officials to remove the seats of the attraction and get a better look, something not possible with the Fire Ball.
According to Aguilar, the Extreme passed all state and independent inspections so far this year, but they are not willing to take any risks when it comes to safety.
Because of the different designs, Delaware officials are not able to replicate the inspections happening to the Ohio ride, meaning the suspension could be extended.
Similar actions were taken at the California State Fair, where officials closed their identical Fire Ball ride Thursday.
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"We shut down the ride immediately, unloaded it and it's closed right now," said inspector Barry Schaible told to KCRA-TV in Sacramento.
After the accident, Ohio State Fair has closed all rides, and they are not being reopened until they all have been deemed safe.
“The fair is about the best things in life," said Ohio Gov. John Kasich in a press conference. "And tonight with this accident it becomes a terrible, terrible tragedy."
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims," said Aguilar. "And to the industry as a whole."
Contact Alaina Taylor at ataylor3@delawareonline or (302) 547-5799. Follow her on Twitter at @alainaa_taylorr.