6 hurt on ride at SC State Fair

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP/WOLO) — Six people suffered minor injuries when a piece of metal from a ride at the South Carolina State Fair in Columbia broke off and fell. Officials say the accident happened shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday on the fair’s opening day. “A foot pedal on one of the seats broke off on one side and when it hit the panel at the bottom is caused the weld to break and pieces scattered and hit some folks,” says Gary Goodman, Manager of the SC State Fair. Five people suffered minor cuts. The other person had a bruised shoulder. All were treated and released from the fair’s first aid station. No one was taken to a hospital. “We stopped the ride immediately and called the inspectors,” says Goodman. Goodman says the fair’s private inspectors were the first on the scene. State inspectors with the Labor, License and Regulations division followed suit Thursday morning. State inspectors did not want to comment, but they did tell ABC Columbia News that the ride is under investigation. Goodman says the ride will remain closed until an investigation is completed. “Until we get word from the state to continue the ride will sit idle,” says Goodman. “Safety is our greatest mission when it comes to rides and we won’t open anything that isn’t certified by the state to be ridden,” says Goodman. Officials tell us the rides are inspected before entering the state. The earliest time for the Banzai to re-open will be Friday. The Associated Press contributed to this report. (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)