State Agency Bans Ride That Fell Apart At Ohio State Fair: Report

NASHVILLE, TN — A top state official announced Thursday that his department will ban an amusement park ride that fell apart at the Ohio State Fair from operating in Tennessee, according to a media report. One person was killed and seven others were injured Wednesday when the Fire Ball ride collapsed at the fair in Columbus, Ohio, WSMV-TV News 4 reported.

Burns Phillips, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, issued an order to prohibit all Fire Ball rides built by KMG from operating in the state, News 4 reported.

California, Indiana and Kentucky issued similar orders after Wednesday’s accident. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Middle Tennessee Patch morning newsletter.)

The order from Phillips remains in effect until further notice, News 4 said. All amusement devices entering Tennessee are required to undergo inspections as public safety requires.

KMG, the Dutch company that builds the Fire Ball, has told operators of the ride around the world to stop using it until the cause of the malfunction is determined, the Associated Press reported. Ohio Gov. John Kasich closed down all rides at the state fair Thursday and ordered them inspected again.

North American Midway Entertainment has a permit to operate the Fire Ball at the Tennessee State Fair, which takes place Sept. 8-17 in Nashville. A state agency is notifying the company that it will not be allowed to bring the ride to the fair, News 4 reported.

Watch: At Least 1 Dead After Ohio State Fair Ride Breaks Apart Midair

Image: Patch file photo