Attorney Matthew R. Arnold answering the question: “What can you sue for in a personal injury case?”
A recent news report revealed that several people in Raleigh, North Carolina were transported to WakeMed hospital for treatment following an accident Thursday evening involving a popular ride at the North Carolina State Fair.
Officials say that given how recently the accident occurred they are not yet sure of precisely how many people were injured. However, witnesses told local reporters that five people, maybe more, were seriously injured when they were thrown from a spinning ride. A WakeMed spokesperson confirmed that five people from the fair were under evaluation by doctors in the emergency room, but could not say how serious their injuries were.
Though details are sketchy, fair officials say that the accident took place on the Vortex ride which is located near the old midway between Gates 4 and 5. Witnesses say that accident took place on the newer of two Vortex machines and that it appears as if the victims fell out of the pendulum-swing ride. One person told a local NBC station that he heard a crashing sound soon after getting off the ride. When he turned around he saw several people lying face down on the ground and the ride’s operator then fell to his knees crying. The entire area surrounding the ride has since been shut down as emergency crews work at the scene of the accident.
Though most people understand that some amount of risk is associated with amusement park rides, many would be surprised to learn just how often serious injuries occur on seemingly safe rides. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 7,000 people seek emergency room treatment for amusement park injuries in the United States each and every year.