UK theme parks shut rides after man is killed on similar US attraction

Six rides at UK theme parks have been closed after a teenager died in a freak accident on a similar attraction in the US.

18-year-old Tyler Jarrell was killed after being thrown into the air by the Fire Ball at the Ohio State Fair on Wednesday. His girlfriend was among seven others injured in the accident.

The Health and Safety Executive in Britain has confirmed that in response, five similar KMG Afterburner rides in the UK are subject to a prohibition enforcement notice, meaning that they are currently not in operation.

One further ride was closed down voluntarily by its operator. No theme parks have been closed completely.

A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive said: “HSE is aware of the tragic accident involving the KMG Afterburner (themed as Fire Ball) machine in Ohio on 26 July.

“There are six machines of this version operating in UK which were all thoroughly inspected within the last 12 months in line with agreed procedures. There is no verified information regarding the immediate cause of the US accident. Following the incident, HSE initiated a re-inspection of these machines.”

They added: “HSE will ensure operators are kept abreast of information as it arrives and will take such action as is necessary to ensure the rides are inspected and tested as necessary to ensure safety.”

The five rides closed as a result of the HSE notice are at Pleasurewood Hills in East Anglia, Ryan Crow Amusements in the North East, Coney Beach Fair in South Wales, Joseph Manning based in Hertfordshire, and Brean Theme Park in Somerset.

Lightwater Valley in North Yorkshire independently closed its ride immediately after the accident in Ohio.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Lightwater said: “We were deeply saddened and shocked to hear of the tragic accident in the US and our thoughts go out to the families of those concerned.

“While there are fundamental and significant differences between our ride and the one involved in this terrible incident we entirely support the Health and Safety Executive’s decision to not operate these types of ride in Great Britain until all the facts are known and a comprehensive investigation has taken place.

“Our ride has undergone the most stringent of safety checks, however as a precaution we strongly believe this is the correct and responsible thing to do. The safety and wellbeing of our visitors is of paramount importance.”

Manning's Amusements said: “The safety of our customers is, of course, of paramount importance to us. We confirm that, as a precaution, the Afterburner ride that was being operated by us was immediately taken out of service pending a full investigation being carried out.

”We are liaising with the HSE and the ride will not re-open until all tests have been completed and we are fully satisfied that there is no risk to passengers."

Pleasurewood Hills said its Fireball ride had been temporarily closed following instruction from the ride manufacturer and the HSE.

Adam Noble, general manager at the theme park, said: “The condition of our rides and the safety of our visitors is absolutely paramount.

“It is therefore our priority to work with our technical engineers, inspectors, the manufacturer and the HSE to ensure our ride is 100 per cent safe before we will reopen the ride.”

The ride works by swinging dramatically from side to side while also spinning passengers. It is thought that in the accident in Ohio, Tyler’s seat snapped, sending him flying into the air. Ohio Governor John Kasich has called for a full investigation into the incident.