Ocean Park's ride The Flash remains open after Ohio State Fair Fire Ball horror
The Fire Ball amusement in Ohio after its fatal malfunction.Ocean Park’s ride The Flash remains open today in the wake of Wednesday’s tragic accident in the US state of Ohio where a similar ride broke apart, sending a teenager to his death.
The Flash may look similar to the Fire Ball, but the design and structure of the ride differs, Ocean Park said.
Tyler Jarrel, 18, died after being flung from a gondola that broke off a ride known as the Fire Ball, an aggressive thrill carnival ride that swoops like a pendulum and swings in a circle. Seven other people were rushed to hospital and five remain in critical condition.
Dramatic video captured by a bystander shows the ride swinging back and forth like a pendulum and spinning in the air when it crashes into something and part of the ride flies off, throwing riders to the ground.
The Flash takes riders 22m into the air and Ocean Park’s website warns that they may see stars as they are spun around so fast. At its dizzying top speed of 60km/h, you will be whirled full circle with nothing to stop you and nothing under your feet. Each turn swings around at a massive force of 3.9G – a thrill only for most hardcore visitors!
The Flash was introduced to Ocean Park in 2010 and has never had an accident, Ocean Park told Young Post today. It said the safety of Park guests had always been the number one priority of Ocean Parks and the ride is inspected before and after the end of each day.
The Ohio State Fair and several other theme parks in the US have closed their Fire Ball rides in the wake of the tragedy.