Hotmail
Messenger
My MSN
MSN Directory
Carnival ride collapses in California; 23 injured
‘Yo-Yo’ carrying mostly children at time of accident in Calaveras County
 | Video |
 |
Carnival ride collapses May 17: A carnival ride collapse in California is under investigation. NBC's John Larson and a Calaveras County official describe the scene. Today show |
 | Video: Life |
 Democracy's local heros July 4: On Independence Day, there's a lot of talk about the founders of this country, but what about the ordinary Americans who make this country great? NBC's Lester Holt speaks with John Siceloff, co-author of "Your America: Democracy's Local Heros." |
Stand and be counted |
What keeps you up at night? Gut Check America wants you to tell us what really matters to our country. Click here to learn more and get involved. |
ANGELS CAMP, Calif. - State investigators were trying to determine what caused a spinning carnival ride at a county fair to collapse and injure 23 people.
The carnival ride, called the Yo-Yo, collapsed shortly after 6 p.m. Friday at the Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee, about 80 miles southeast of Sacramento, California.
The Yo-Yo ride has a series of metal arms extending from a center poll. A chair is attached to the end of each arm by a chain, and the arms and chairs swing outward as the machine spins and picks up speed.
The accident occurred when all of the arms and chairs suddenly collapsed, dragging the passengers on the ground until the machine finally came to a halt, according to witnesses.
"It was spinning in the air and then it just dropped," said Mark Pearson, 14. "It was all tangled and everything. Little kids were just laying there screaming. People were screaming, 'Oh my God, it's horrible!'"
All of the victims had been released from hospitals Saturday except for a 12-year-old girl listed in good condition and a 14-year-old girl in stable condition, according to Sgt. Dave Seawell of the Calaveras County Sheriff's Department.
There were no fatalities, said Laurie Giannini, the fairground's marketing director.
Authorities could not immediately determine what might have caused the accident. State investigators arrived on the scene Friday night to inspect the rides, and many of them were expected to reopen Saturday. The Yo-Yo will stay closed while officials investigate the accident, Malerbi said.
The Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee opened Wednesday and is held each year in late May. It was inspired by a Mark Twain story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," which focuses on a character and his jumping frog, named Dan'l Webster.
Last year's jumping frog contest drew 4,000 entries. This year's final is scheduled for Sunday.
The fairgrounds is just outside the Gold Rush-era town of Angels Camp in the Sierra Nevada foothills. It bills itself as an "old-fashion county fair" with exhibits and a variety of entertainment.
- Discuss StoryOn Newsvine
- Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM LIFE |
 Life Section Front |
| Add Life headlines to your news reader: |
Sponsored links
Resource guide