Community Corner
Solon Issues Statement On Ohio State Fair Tragedy
With Home Days approaching, the city wanted to assure residents that all rides at the event would be inspected and safe-to-use.
SOLON, OH — In the wake of the Ohio State Fair tragedy, which claimed the life of one man and injured seven others, the city of Solon issued a statement on Facebook saying all of the rides at Solon Home Days will be re-inspected. The city also said it would not use rides similar to the Fire Ball, which broke apart on Wednesday.
The annual Solon Home Days event is scheduled to begin on Friday at 5 p.m. The three-day event concludes on Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
The timing for Home Days couldn't be worse. Ohio is still reeling from the State Fair accident and many residents will likely be more cautious about hopping on rides at the Home Days midway. (To stay up to date on local stories, subscribe to the Patch Solon newsletter. As news breaks and the story develops, you will be the first to receive updates from Patch.)
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When the Fire Ball broke apart on the first day of the Ohio State Fair, it claimed the life of Columbus native Tyler Jarrell, 18, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said on Thursday. The collapse of the ride also injured seven people. The conditions of those seven are not currently known, but three were in critical condition on Wednesday.
"The City of Solon is deeply saddened to hear of the tragedy at the Ohio State Fair," the city said in its Facebook post on Thursday. For more information on the accident at the State Fair, click here.
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The city has also been communicating with the Department of Agriculture's Ride Division, which is responsible for inspecting all rides at Home Days. The Fire Ball at the Ohio State Fair was repeatedly checked by the Ride Division and cleared for use, Director of Agriculture David Daniels said on Wednesday night.
However, Solon says it will have all rides re-inspected for safety and does not plan on using any ride similar to the Fire Ball.
The city said on Facebook that residents with additional questions or concerns can contact the Solon Recreation Department at 440-248-5747.
The city's full statement is below.
Photo credit: Jim Woods/The Columbus Dispatch via AP
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