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Theme park horror as one dead and seven hurt when ride throws people through the air

One man has been killed and seven others injured after an amusement park ride broke apart and hurled people through the air.

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

The man who was killed was one of several people who were thrown off when the Fire Ball ride malfunctioned on the opening day of the Ohio State Fair.

Horrific footage shows the ride breaking apart (AP)
Horrific footage shows the ride breaking apart (AP)
One man was killed and seven people injured when the ride threw people to the ground (AP)
One man was killed and seven people injured when the ride threw people to the ground (AP)

Dramatic video captured by a bystander shows the ride swinging back and forth like a pendulum and spinning in the air when it crashes into something and part of the ride flies off, throwing riders to the ground.

Three of the injured people are now in a critical condition, according to authorities.

Ohio governor John Kasich said: ”The fair is about the best things in life and tonight with this accident it becomes a terrible, terrible tragedy.

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A company providing rides at the Columbus fair this year describes the Fire Ball as an “aggressive thrill” experience.

On its website, Amusements of America says that since its debut in 2002, the Fire Ball has become “one of the most popular thrill rides on the AOA Midway”.

The company description of the ride says it swings riders 40 feet above the midway while spinning them at 13 revolutions per minute.

Three people are in a critical condition in hospital (AP)
Three people are in a critical condition in hospital (AP)

Mr Kasich said he had ordered a full investigation and all fair rides to be shut down until additional safety inspections can be completed.

In a post on its Twitter page the fair said: “There has been a report of a ride incident. We are investigating and will report information as available.”

State director of agriculture David Daniels said all the rides were checked several times when they were being set up to ensure it was the way the manufacturer intended.

The accident occurred on the opening day of the fair (AP)
The accident occurred on the opening day of the fair (AP)

He added: ”We started out today with 11 rides that did not open because the inspection work was not done on them.”

Mr Daniels said four rides would not be operating because they did not meet the mechanical test.

Ride inspectors said the Fire Ball was inspected at a couple of different stages and signed off on Wednesday.