CNE’s Polar Express reopens days after man seriously injured on ride
Posted August 31, 2023 1:00 pm.
Last Updated August 31, 2023 1:11 pm.
A ride at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) reopened to the public on Thursday after a man was thrown off mid-operation and seriously injured earlier in the week.
Emergency crews were called to the CNE grounds at Nunavut Road and Princes’ Boulevard just before 9:30 p.m. on Monday.
A man was taken to hospital by paramedics, and Toronto police tell CityNews he suffered a concussion after being tossed from the Polar Express.
CityNews learned the injured victim is an 18-year-old man, and witnesses said he may have acted recklessly on the ride before being ejected.
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), which carried out an investigation into the accident, said on Thursday that the ride had been permitted to return to service following the man’s injury.
RELATED: Witnesses claim teen injured on CNE’s Polar Express stood up on moving ride
“The ride remained shut down while TSSA conducted a thorough technical inspection of the ride. The inspection is complete. The TSSA has confirmed that The Polar Express ride is safe to resume operation,” a TSSA spokesperson told CityNews.
The TSSA said the investigation into the incident’s root cause is ongoing.
Police were on scene after a man was injured on a CNE ride on Aug. 28, 2023. CITYNEWS/Adrian Golombek
“TSSA inspectors have been on-site daily since the incident occurred with full cooperation from the ride operator, North American Midway Entertainment and the CNE as TSSA conducted inspections and gathered information relating to the incident,” they said. “This is standard protocol following any reported incident related to amusement device rides in the province of Ontario.”
The TSSA confirmed the Polar Express at the CNE met safety requirements before it was allowed to operate initially and was found to be safe.
Some bystanders at the CNE on Monday night said 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 leave his seat.
North American Midway Entertainment (NAME) issued a statement after the incident, saying the Polar Express has been one of the most popular rides at the CNE since its debut in 1980.
The annual CNE is in its final week at Exhibition Place before wrapping up on September 4.
With files from Michael Ranger
