Ferris Wheel Accidents
A recent Ferris wheel accident in Washington State has put the spotlight on carnival rides and safety. At the Rhododendron Festival in Port Townsend, two hours north of Seattle, passengers of the Phoenix Wheel Ferris wheel had a scary ride when one of the baskets flipped, ejecting the people inside.
A seven-year old boy and a 47-year old woman were taken to Jefferson Healthcare Hospital in Port Townsend where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. A third victim, a 59-year old woman, had to be airlifted to the Seattle Harborview Medical Center where she was listed in critical, but stable condition. All three victims fell 15 to 18 feet and landed on the metal base at the bottom of the ride. One of the falling passengers clipped a fourth passenger slightly injuring him, but he refused medical treatment.
The equipment at the Rhododendron Festival belongs to Oregon-based Funtastic Rides. The company operates in many states and had been incident free in Washington since 2011. The state Department of Labor and Industries asserts that all of the company’s permits are in order and that Funtastic is certified to operate. In the fall, all of Funtastic’s rides were inspected and given permits allowing them to operate through the first of October. Because of the accident, the Phoenix Wheel Ferris wheel ride will have its permit revoked so that it can be inspected again.
The president of Funtastic Rides, Ron Burbank, stated that to his knowledge, there was no operator error and that the ride was balanced and had no apparent mechanical problems. According to Burbank, before the three passengers fell, they had been warned by the ride operator on the previous rotation to remain seated. The gondola that flipped was at the seven o’clock position and moving counterclockwise at the time of the amusement park accident. Just before it happened, there was a grinding noise according to a passenger who was directly below the gondola that tipped. An independent inspector has been hired for the investigation.
Amusement Parks are Big Business
According to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, in 2015, 335 million people visited some type of amusement park. There are no national safety regulations for parks, only for traveling rides, and seat belts are not required for rides like the Phoenix Wheel in Port Townsend. Every year, at least 2,500 people end up in emergency rooms across America after injuries sustained in amusement parks. Those visiting amusement parks and fairs should look for an operating permit on the side of the rides and observe the ride operators to ensure they are paying close attention to the safety of the riders and observing posted restrictions.
New Jersey Amusement Park Accident Lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP Obtain Compensation for Injured Victims of Amusement Park Accidents
If you have suffered injuries at an amusement park, you may be eligible for compensation under premises liability, product liability or personal injury law. Call Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP at 732-777-0100 to speak with an experienced New Jersey amusement park lawyer who can explain your legal options. You can also contact us online. From our offices in Edison, Red Bank, and Toms River, we proudly serve clients throughout New Jersey.
Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP has purposely remained small in size, because it is important to us that we get to know our clients and their needs. Larger NJ injury firms may churn out case after case, but that’s not how we operate. Partners Barry Eichen, William Crutchlow, and Daryl Zaslow have created a firm with the resources to handle complex litigation, and a team that takes your case personally.
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