A rotating amusement park swing ride left riders injured when it suddenly malfunctioned on Sunday, September 8th. At the Norwalk, Connecticut Oyster Festival, a swing ride set up on the midway suddenly seized up during operation, sending riders crashing into one another.
Individually seated riders suspended from chains were flung about violently when the ride stopped abruptly. In total, 12 children and one adult suffered injuries, according to official police reports. Police noted that the 12 passengers were treated and released at nearby hospitals, but one 8-year-old boy was admitted with non-life threatening injuries as a precaution.
Following the malfunction, the Norwalk Seaport Association immediately closed all of the carnival rides. The Connecticut State Police Fire and Emergency Investigative Unit were brought in to inspect all of the rides. Stewart Amusement of Trumbull, Connecticut, operator of the midway rides, cooperated with officials and assisted in a thorough inspection. All rides were reopened, except for the swing ride, which will be subject to further investigation.
Stewart Amusement Co., could not be reached for comment. Troopers from Connecticut’s state police fire and explosion unit are expected to continue with an investigation into the mechanical failure.
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