Ride Malfunction Injures 2 At Palos Hills Friendship Fest

PALOS HILLS, IL — Two people were injured when they fell out of a ride Saturday evening at a community festival in Palos Hills. Friendship Fest was happening all weekend at and is Palos Hills’ major summer event that typically takes place the first weekend after Independence Day.

Just before 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Palos Hills police were notified of a carnival ride malfunction at the festival in the 10900 block of 88th Avenue. Police said a 40-year-old woman and 6-year-old child fell out of the ride following a mechanical malfunction.

The woman and child were taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. They were treated for minor injuries and released.

TikTok videos show a pod laying on the ground that appears to have broken off a children’s ride call the Spinner. Riders ride in individual pods and control the spinning of their pod by using the turn table in the middle. As the ride begins to spin, the pods slowly move outward.

Wilson Family Show, which has provided the rides many years for Palos Hills Friendship Fest, could not immediately be reached for comment.