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Before Tragedy Struck Ohio State Fair, Inspectors OK'd Ride That Malfunctioned

The Ohio State Fair ride that ejected passengers, killing one and injuring seven, had been cleared by state inspectors to operate, officials said Wednesday night.

By Justin Madden

The Ohio State Fair ride that ejected passengers, killing one and injuring seven, had been cleared by state inspectors to operate, officials said Wednesday night.

Ohio Department of Agriculture Chief Ride Inspector Michael Vartorella said at a press conference that the Fire Ball ride was inspected at least three times by state officials and a third party in the last two days before the fair opened on Wednesday.

Officials with the Department of Agriculture and Ohio State Highway Patrol planned to be at the site throughout the night and into Thursday morning investigating the incident.

The ride had a couple of repairs in May to fix mechanical equipment, according to Department of Agriculture documents.

Director of Agriculture David Daniels said the fair began Wednesday with 11 rides that were closed because inspection work had not been completed on them. Four rides will not be operating because they have not met the mechanical test, he said.

Gov. John Kasich, who pledged "complete transparency" in the investigation, shut down all the fair rides after the incident. The fair will be open on Thursday, but officials said rides will be re-inspected and cleared before they can operate.

The man killed, identified only as an 18-year-old, died on impact, NBC4 in Columbus reported. The malfunction occurred about 7:20 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said.

Seven other people were taken to area hospitals for treatment. The conditions of the riders varied. But a graphic video posted on YouTube showed the ride swinging back and forth before it appears to hit something and ejects the riders.

The Fire Ball has become "one of the most popular thrill rides on the AOA Midway," according to the Amusements of America website. It debuted in 2002, and swings riders 40 feet above the midway while spinning them at 13 revolutions per minute. The ride is manufactured by KMG and is considered to be an "aggressive thrill".

Kasich offered his condolences to the victims.

"I am terribly saddened by this accident, by the loss of life and that people were injured enjoying Ohio's fair," he said in a Wednesday statement. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to those grieving and injured.  I have ordered a full investigation into this incident and have ordered that all fair rides be shut down until additional safety inspections can be completed."

The fair is scheduled to run until Aug. 6.

Laura Hancock of cleveland.com contributed to this story.

(c)2017 Advance Ohio Media, Cleveland

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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