Ohio State Fair Ride Video: Deadly Accident Caused By 'Structural Issue'

Ohio State Fair officials say ride attractions at the Columbus, Ohio park’s midway will reopen for “normal operations” Sunday after a mid-ride malfunction killed one 18-year-old man and injured seven others last week.

The Fire Ball ride at the park was shut down after 18-year-old Tyler Jarrell was ejected from his seat alongside several others who were injured following a collision that broke apart the passenger's vehicle in mid-air. Ohio State Highway Patrol investigators said the deadly incident was reported at 7:24 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

Dennis Speigel, president of the Walnut Hills-based International Theme Park Services consulting firm, explained to local station WCPO that the fatal fair collision was a “structural issue.” He noted that the arm of the ride, which swings back and forth in a pendulum motion while simultaneously spinning the car holding the riders’ seats.

A co-owner of manufacturer who provides rides to the park told local stations he was sure a mechanical failure was the cause of the deadly collision that caused the ride to break apart during its mid-air swing.

“This is not rider responsibility. This is not operator responsibility, Speigel told WCPO, noting the exact moment in video showing when the cars separated from the ride itself and expelled several passengers. "Whether it be fatigue of a bolt or a connection, but that's where it came off, right there.”

KMG: Ohio State Fair Ride Manufacturer Of Fire Ball

The Netherlands-based manufacturer, KMG, sent out a Thursday notice to owners for a shut-down of all rides similar to the Fire Ball worldwide. Speigel says KMG is a well-known company that is respected within the amusement park industry.

Although Speigel said it’s too early to definitely note the exact cause, he noted “a lot of tension on that ride on every arm.”

Speigel said the malfunction at the Ohio state fair will “send shock waves through the entire industry, adding “If we’re not safe, we’re out of business.”

Seven people were also injured -- several critically -- and have been identified by authorities as Tamika Dunlap, 36; Russell Franks, 42; Keziah Lewis, 19; Jacob Andrews, 22; Jennifer Lambert, 18; and Abdihakim Hussein, 19. A 14-year-old boy was wounded but his name has not been publicly released.

The AP reports the Jarrell family hired attorneys for a potential wrongful death lawsuit.