9 hours ago
Horror moment fairground ride sends kids crashing to ground after loss of power
Screaming riders at a funfair plunged to the ground after the ride, known as 'The Hammer', is understood to have lost power near the top of its tall tower, leaving at least 15 children injured
Pictures and video show the aftermath of a horrifying fairground ride collapse that left at least 15 children and teenagers injured when it came crashing to the ground.
Screaming riders plunged to the ground after the ride, known as 'The Hammer', is understood to have lost power near the top of its tall tower. Shocking video captures the carnage in El Carmen, Mexico, on June 14. In the clip desperate parents and fair-goers frantically pull riders from the wreckage. Screams can be heard as rescuers work to free riders from their seats and carry them to safety following the catastrophic failure.
The ride, known as 'El Martillo' in Spanish, hoists riders dozens of feet up in the air and spins them around. Some appear too badly injured to walk more than a few steps in the footage, and are gently stretched out on the ground as they wait for paramedics.
Others seem in shock and too traumatised to even leave their seats. At least 15 children and teenagers were injured in the ride collapse, one aged just 10, according to reports from local media.
Many were reported to have suffered pelvic and spinal fractures plus hip and shoulder injuries. Six of the riders were so badly hurt they were kept admitted as patients at 21 Hospital, University Hospital and Metropolitan Hospital.
The fairground reportedly continued to operate normally following the horrific incident, until safety officials closed it down. Investigators are now trying to establish if the ride failed because of operator error, mechanical failure or poor maintenance, NewsX reports.
The news comes just two days after a two-year-old was killed and other children injured after they were electrocuted at a funfair in Spain.
The nightmare unfolded as the little girl and three older children touched a metal fence surrounding a giant fairground trampoline at a funfair in Murcia.
Paramedics fought desperately to resuscitate the two-year-old for half an hour but she was tragically declared dead in the early hours of June 15, after the children touched the fence around midnight.
As investigations continue locals are calling for tighter rules and more inspections around the electrical supplies at the events.
