Witnesses claim teen injured on CNE’s Polar Express stood up on moving ride
Posted August 30, 2023 7:29 am.
Last Updated August 30, 2023 11:58 am.
The popular Polar Express ride at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) remains closed after a rider was thrown from the attraction earlier this week.
Emergency crews were called to Exhibition Place around 9:25 p.m. Monday for reports of someone injured in the midway. A man was taken to hospital by paramedics and police say he suffered a concussion after being tossed from a ride.
CityNews has learned the injured victim is an 18-year-old man and witnesses are saying he may have acted recklessly on the ride before being ejected.
Some bystanders who were at the CNE on Monday night say it appeared that the young man tried to stand up on the Polar Express while it was moving at high speed. He was ejected from the ride as he attempted to get out of his seat.
“It looks like he undid his seatbelt to stand up,” says one woman who witnessed the incident, speaking to CityNews. “If it was a malfunction more people would have gotten hurt. It was only one.”
The police tape is gone but the Polar Express remains shut down at the CNE after 18 y/o male was tossed from the ride Monday night. Some bystanders claim they saw teen try to stand up while ride was moving-causing him to be ejected & injured. The investigation continues pic.twitter.com/4L1Fl3vMxy
— carl hanstke (@carlCityNews) August 30, 2023
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) was notified and is investigating. In an update Tuesday morning, the TSSA said an inspector is on scene investigating the ride and they cannot comment on much else until the investigation is over.
“The TSSA are continuing their inspection of the Polar Express and will provide an update as it becomes available,” reads a statement from North American Midway Entertainment (NAME).
The yellow police tape that surrounded the ride on Tuesday is now gone but it will remain shut down until the TSSA has assured it is safe to resume.
“The Polar Express is one of the most popular rides at the CNE since its debut in 1980,” says NAME. “We want to assure our patrons that the CNE is safe and that the remainder of the 60 amusement rides are in full operation.”
The annual CNE is in its final week at Exhibition Place before wrapping up on Sep. 4.
With files from CityNews reporter Carl Hanstke
