Accident: Florida fair gravitron

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=7&u=/ap/20040403/ap_on_re_us/fair_ride_accident

7 injured.

Wow - I was riding one of those a while ago. What's up with those Florida fairs? Weren't there just two other accidents in the last months?

There's also the CNN story right here.

I'm not sure which I'd rather have...
Stuck on the ride for 15 minutes non-stop, or a piece of the paneling come falling off & having the chance to get sucked out.

That's terrifying. I'm so glad I can't take the Graviton anymore. I hope the riders heal quickly.

They have two gravitrons at the DCYF. My daughter and I rode the other one twice.

What's really frustrating is that there is a ride op in the middle watching everything. He had no chance, the panel flew off before he could do anything.

The DYCF is a big event. They give money to FIU. They have major flat rides. This year, they had the exact same wild maus found at AK. The DYCF is flat ride heaven. And now this. Sad.

Let's hope the season is better than this. *** Edited 4/4/2004 1:17:45 AM UTC by Robert Viands***

I remember the gravitron at the michigan state fair about 5 years ago.

A lady was walking past the ride when a light cover flew off stryking her in the head.

I haven't heard of any other Gravitron/Starship 2000 accidents. I wonder if any other companies who operate this ride have seen any bolts shearing and took care of them. Wisdom will probally put out a bulletin about this on Monday

Actualy, if I remember correctly there is a wedge of steel that holds each wall panel to the base of the ride.

Its a simple connection.....allthough I never thought it looked 100% safe.

The image of a gravitron spinning around hurling people out of it, that's somewhat amusing to me. About ten years ago I wrote a song about that and now it's finally happened. Yeah, I have a somewhat evil sense of humor.

Here's a more in-depth article with the ride in question photographed. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/8350467.htm

Yikes. I just passed a fair the other day that was setting up and sure enough they had a Gravitron. It was interesting to see how the pieces are stored for transport. What looks like one big ride is actually multiple sections shaped like this >>.

Considering what happened. Only having one person in critical condition is a blessing.