Deadly Hayride Accident Kills 1, Leaves 15 Children Injured

A fall hayride turned into a nightmare on Saturday night. Around 9 p.m., a tractor pulling a wagon full of hay bales and people overturned, leaving one adult dead and 17 others injured.

The accident happened in Hancock County, Illinois, near the town of Nauvoo. Wayne York, 41, was driving a John Deere tractor that was pulling the double-axle trailer for the hayride when he lost control. The tractor ran off the side of the road into a wooded ravine. The tractor overturned, ejecting the driver and many passengers.

Illinois State Police say the initial investigation shows the tractor was too small for the trailer. York was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, local outlet WGEM says.

There were four adult passengers on the hayride. A 32-year-old Amy Swinderman died, the only fatality from the accident. Three other adults, Michael Davidson, 43, Ashley Davidson, 36, and Jessica Little, 41, were injured and taken to the hospital, according to the Peoria Journal Star.

Seventeen kids ages 12 and under were on the hayride. Most were hurt in the accident, with the New York Times reporting 15 of them were also transported to the hospital for injuries. Two children survived without any serious injuries and didn't need the hospital.

Another hayride accident happened last October in Kendall County, Illinois, about 200 miles from Nauvoo. A hayride flipped after being hit by a car. Eleven people were sent to the hospital.