Current:Home > StocksBoy thrown from ride at Virginia state fair hospitalized in latest amusement park accident -PureWealth Academy
Boy thrown from ride at Virginia state fair hospitalized in latest amusement park accident
View
Date:2025-04-18 13:54:25
A young boy is facing a long road to recovery after what was supposed to be a fun family day at the State Fair of Virginia.
The 8-year-old boy was enjoying a ride on an attraction called "The Storm" Friday afternoon when he sustained an injury, according to a report released by Caroline County Building Official Kevin Wightman. Virginia State Police responded to the call, arriving on scene around 3 p.m. and administered first aid before transporting the child to a nearby hospital.
The family’s attorney, David Silek, told USA TODAY that the boy sustained significant injuries when he was "sucked out" of his seat during the ride.
More:Day of adventure turns into nightmare for Canadian amusement park riders
8-year-old boy sustains injuries
Silek said the boy slid below the lap bar meant to secure him in place and was thrown out of his seat. "The Storm" continued to operate and the boy was then stuck by another cart, which flung his body up against a nearby fence.
His father, Matthew Nungent, noticed his son's empty seat when the cart he had been riding in came back around and began trying to get the operator's attention, Silek said. He was allegedly ignored until he finally jumped over the fence surrounding the ride to reach his child, at which point it was stopped.
Silek said the boy has suffered a broken foot and a severe laceration to his leg, which cut so deep it exposed muscle beneath the skin. Doctors had to anesthetize the boy in order to investigate the extent of the wound before stitching him up.
"A broken foot at the age of eight could lead to a lifelong problem if it doesn’t heal properly," Silek said. "They're focused on making sure his foot heals properly so he doesn't have issues for the rest of his life."
While Silek said the family has not had any contact with fair organizers or other involved parties since the incident, the family is concerned with the safety of similar attractions at fairs and amusement parks.
More:Your or you're? State Fair of Texas corrects typo on fair welcome sign
Ride inspection
According to the incident report, parties including Virginia State Police, a representative of the State Fair, building inspection officials, third-party inspectors and representatives from the company that produced the ride, Deggeller Attractions, arrived on scene the same day to inspect the "The Storm" and recreate the conditions leading up to the incident.
This initial inspection turned up "no obvious failures of the equipment," according to the report. A review of statements provided by the involved parties after the fact also found "no mechanical or and/or operator errors that did not comply with the manufacture's specifications or governing code."
The family and Silek are not entirely convinced, however, as the boy continues to undergo medical care. According to Silek, despite reports finding nothing wrong with the attraction's function, the posted height minimum required to board the ride was increased the day after the accident.
"This summer we seem to have had a rash of amusement park problems that started very early in the seasons," Silek shared. "So, we are hoping that every amusement park and fair and carnival really does a much better job of inspecting all rides to assure safety and continue to inspect and make sure that the people that operate these rides are properly trained."
Deggeller Attractions and representatives from the State Fair of Virginia did not respond to request for comment.
Amusement attraction accidents
A spate of incidents related to amusement rides and attraction this summer season has left riders stuck or injured.
In August, guests were forced to walk down a 200-plus-foot roller coaster in Cedar Point, Ohio after the ride experienced a mechanical issue.
Back in July, fairgoers in Crandon, Wisconsin, ended up in a terrifying predicament when a malfunction left riders stuck upside down for hours.
Just two days prior, a North Carolina amusement park closed one of its rollercoasters after guests noticed a crack in one of its support pillars and video showed pieces moving out of place as cars moved along the tracks.
In June, a major accident killed one and injured nine after a rollercoaster derailed.
Saman Shafiq contributed reporting to this story.
veryGood! (56163)
Related
- NCAA hands former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh a 4-year show cause order for recruiting violations
- Massachusetts couple charged with casting ballots in New Hampshire
- Washington airman receives award after carrying injured 79-year-old hiker down trail
- Doctor charged in connection with Matthew Perry’s death is expected to plead guilty
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Trump won’t participate in interview for ’60 Minutes’ election special
- Rapper Rich Homie Quan's cause of death revealed
- Doctor to stars killed outside LA office attacked by men with baseball bats before death
- NCAA President Charlie Baker would be 'shocked' if women's tournament revenue units isn't passed
- Lauryn Hill sued by Fugees' Pras Michel for fraud and breach of contract after tour cancellation
Ranking
- Plunge Into These Olympic Artistic Swimmers’ Hair and Makeup Secrets
- Sean “Diddy” Combs Accused of Abusing Minors Amid New Allegations
- Video captures Tesla vehicle bursting into flames as Hurricane Helene floods Florida garage
- 'Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Season 2 finale: Release date, time, cast, where to watch
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- Lauryn Hill Sued for Fraud and Breach of Contract by Fugees Bandmate Pras Michel
- 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan, and Front Row Motorsports sue NASCAR
- 15-year-old arrested on murder charge in fatal shooting of Chicago postal worker
Recommendation
Southern California rocked by series of earthquakes: Is a bigger one brewing?
Harris, Trump’s approach to Mideast crisis, hurricane to test public mood in final weeks of campaign
Savannah Chrisley Says Mom Julie’s Resentencing Case Serves as “Retaliation”
MLB postseason highlights: Padres, Mets secure big wins in Game 1 of wild-card series
Elon Musk’s Daughter Vivian Calls Him “Absolutely Pathetic” and a “Serial Adulterer”
Takeaways from AP’s report on declining condom use among younger generations
The 'girl dinner,' 'I'm just a girl' memes were fun, but has their moment passed?
The 'girl dinner,' 'I'm just a girl' memes were fun, but has their moment passed?