CNE midway ride shuttered after deadly accident in U.S.

By News Staff

A popular midway ride at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) will not be offered this year after a deadly accident involving the same attraction at the Ohio State Fair.

North American Midway Entertainment, the company that provides attractions to the CNE, said in a statement that the Fire Ball ride has been closed as a precaution until further notice.

The announcement came after an 18-year-old man was killed and seven others were injured — two of them critically — at the fair in Columbus on Wednesday.

Video captured by a bystander shows the machine crashing into something and breaking apart, throwing riders to the ground.

The ride, which swings passengers back and forth as it spins them around, had successfully passed inspection before the state fair opened.

Officials are still investigating the cause of the accident.

A CNE spokesperson confirmed the ride wouldn’t be offered at the fair this year.

“We are saddened by the tragedy at the Ohio State Fair, and our thoughts are with those involved,” CEO Virginia Ludy said in a statement.

“Safety is a top priority at the CNE … We will continue to work with our midway provider, North American Midway Entertainment, to ensure vigilance in upholding our high standards as well as those of the province and the (Technical Standards and Safety Authority).”

The CNE said all of its rides are inspected daily by the midway company and third-party safety engineers during the fair’s two-week run.

The Ex will be open from Aug. 18 to Sept. 4.

With files from The Canadian Press

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