Boy, 10, Expected To Survive After Being Thrown From Carnival Ride

ANTIOCH, IL — A 10-year-old boy who was seriously injured when he was thrown 10 to 20 feet in the air from a carnival ride Sunday afternoon in Antioch is expected to survive.

Officials say the boy, who family members have identified as Huntley, sustained several injuries to his face, jaw and the bones in one leg, according to the Daily Herald. He underwent surgery and appears on track to recover from the incident, which happened at about 2:40 p.m. Sunday, when he fell from the "Moby Dick" ride at the Taste of Antioch.

Meanwhile, funds are being raised for the young boy and his family, and as of Tuesday afternoon, more than $27,000 has been brought in through a GoFundMe set up by Huntley's uncle, Robert Pohlman.

Pohlman, who says the funds raised will help pay for Huntley's surgeries and medical care while his mom and dad are out of work, described his nephew as a "strong kid" who once broke his arm and pushed the bone back in on his own because "it didn't hurt."

"A truly remarkable kid," Robert wrote in the GoFundMe.

Emergency crews responded to the Taste of Antioch after the incident, and Huntley was initially airlifted to Advocate General Hospital in Park Ridge in critical condition. Village officials say the boy was not properly fastened into the ride when he was thrown from it.

The boy remained hospitalized Monday and his condition has stabilized, ABC7 Chicago is reporting.

"He was flown through flight for life twice to two separate hospitals due to the care needed. My sister and his father will be out of work for a time that will make paying for the unknown amount of surgery my nephew will need, almost impossible," Robert Pohlman wrote on the GoFundMe page. "Anything helps, funds will be used to pay medical fees and if there's any left over, that will be saved for him when he recovers."

Antioch Mayor Scott Gartner ordered that the carnival at the Taste of Antioch and all the rides at the fest be shut down following the incident.

"The closure of the rides will ensure safety for our community and allow officials to review safety of each ride," according to a Sunday statement from the village of Antioch.

The festival is sponsored by the Antioch Chamber of Commerce. The Antioch Chamber of Commerce is honoring all refunds of tickets and wristbands for Sunday. The musical entertainment and food options at the Taste of Antioch remained open until 7 p.m. Sunday.

The incident is being investigated by the Illinois Department of Labor, which is responsible for ensuring safety of carnival rides; Antioch Police Department; and the Antioch Fire Department, according to a statement from the Antioch Police Department.