State Inspectors To Look Into Clark County Fair Accident

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Posted: 5:53 PM Aug 3, 2008
Last Updated: 10:17 AM Aug 4, 2008
Reporter: Wendy Enneking
Email Address: wendy.enneking@wkyt.com

3 comments

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At least two people were transported to the Clark County Regional Medical Center following an accident on a ride at the Clark County Fair.

Fair officials say the rear car on the Circle E Express train ride flipped over. A off-duty nurse who happened to be at the fair at the time of the accident said it appeared that one adult was in shock and another was complaining of head and neck pain following the accident. A witness said one parent rushed his daughter away from the scene to an area hospital with a possible broken arm. Two adults were taken by ambulance to the Clark County Regional Medical Center but witnesses say others involved in the accident transported themselves to the hospital.

The operator of the ride left the premises shortly after the accident and fair officials say the ride has been shut down for the remainder of the fair. The ride reportedly is designed to transport fair patrons around the fairgrounds for free. There have been no other accidents involving the ride since it became a part of the Clark County fair two or three years ago.

State ride inspectors are investigating the accident. They'll return to the site of the accident on Tuesday to try to figure out what went wrong.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Meg Location: Winchester on Aug 5, 2008 at 12:11 PM
We saw the accident happen. The driver decided to take the train in circles, and was going way too fast. This is why it flipped over--that ride is not made to be driven like that. I hope all the innocent people that were hurt that day will recover fully.

Posted by: Patti Location: Frankfort on Aug 5, 2008 at 05:38 AM
Before anyone rushes to judgment, you need to know that this "ride" was not a part of the carnival. (& these workers are not under the influence or they will be fired!) It is a separate operation that provides transport from one part of the fairgrounds to another so people don't have to walk. Many county fairs hire Circle E or some similar vendor or come up with their own way to provide the service. I have no idea what happened here but will certainly be watching for the actual details as determined by the investigators. Accidents happen. While riding these "transports" people are supposed to stay seated & not load or unload while it is moving, but I have seen a lot of poor judgment on the public's part... jumping on & off or just moving around, trading seats, etc. People are having a good time & don't think about what can happen to themselves or others as a result of what they are doing. There have been a lot of versions reported as to what happened. The investigation is a good idea.

Posted by: JS Location: Winchester on Aug 4, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Jenn - the "carny" was not a carny at all but a local businessman. Not everything involves drugs or booze. Sometimes, accidents just happen.

Posted by: Jenn Location: Lexington on Aug 4, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Fist they need to make sure the Carney that was operating the ride was not under the influence.. Most of those people are on drugs or are drinking on the job!

Posted by: Billy Hickity Location: Sing Along KY on Aug 4, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Grandma got run over by a tractor, it didn't even happen on a farm, You might say them tractors ain't that dangerous, but ask my Grandma with the broken arm.

Posted by: Joey Location: Lex on Aug 4, 2008 at 10:21 AM
State ride inspectors are investigating?? It was a tractor made to look like a train; how is that considered a ride? I guess every time there is a farm accident, the state ride inspectors need to be called out now.

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