Beach Blaster At San Diego's Belmont Park Shut Down After Deadly Ohio State Fair Accident

SAN DIEGO, CA – Amusement park and fair officials have shut down rides across California, including one in San Diego, a day after a fatal ride malfunction in Ohio. The Fire Ball ride broke apart on the opening day of the Ohio State Fair on Wednesday, killing one and injuring seven others.

Six similar rides in the state have been voluntarily shut down following the deadly accident, according to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health. The Beach Blaster at Belmont Park in San Diego is among the shuttered rides. The machine swings passengers 60 feet in the air and to 120 degrees in both directions – all while spinning.

The Beach Blaster and other shuttered rides are similar to the Fire Ball, which claimed the life of Columbus, Ohio, native Tyler Jarrell. The 18-year-old had recently enlisted in the Marine Corps and was scheduled to enter basic training next year, according to news reports.

According to Cal/OSHA, which works to protect the safety of passengers riding on amusement rides, elevators and tramways, the rides will not operate until they're inspected by agency officials, or until further word is received from manufacturers KMG of The Netherlands and Chance Rides of Wichita, Kansas.

The rides that are shut down across the state include:

• Belmont Park in San Diego
• Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park
• Orange County Fair
• Cal Expo State Fair in Sacramento
• California’s Great America in Santa Clara
• Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Also see:

Ohio State Fair Ride Malfunction Leaves 1 Dead, 3 Critical (Graphic Video)

Ohio State Fair Ride Collapse: Victims Identified

Photo credit: Jim Woods/The Columbus Dispatch via AP