Six Injured as Swing Ride Tips Over at Independence Day Carnival in Washington State
ICARO Media Group
In a shocking incident at an Independence Day carnival in Oak Harbor, Washington, six people sustained minor injuries after a swing ride unexpectedly toppled over. The city officials confirmed on Wednesday that all injured individuals were treated on-site for their injuries.
According to Magi Aguilar, a spokesperson for the city, the ride, commonly known as the swings, had undergone both state and city inspections and was deemed safe. However, an issue with the ride's setup led to its untimely collapse. Aguilar mentioned that the exact number of people on the ride at the time of the incident is still unknown.
Images shared on the Oak Harbor city's Facebook page showcased the spinning swing ride lying on its side, causing concern among residents and visitors to the festival. As a result, Mayor Ronnie Wright announced that the carnival would be closed for the remainder of the holiday weekend as a precautionary measure.
Wright emphasized the city's commitment to prioritizing public safety, stating, "Ensuring the safety of our residents and visitors is our top priority. After careful deliberation and consultation with law enforcement and city officials, it became evident that this was the best course of action to protect our community."
The city of Oak Harbor and the carnival vendor will work together to conduct thorough inspections on Thursday to determine the exact cause of the incident and to implement measures to prevent similar accidents in the future. Oak Harbor Police Chief Tony Slowik reassured the public about the seriousness of the investigation, stating, "Our priority is to thoroughly investigate this incident and take all necessary measures to maintain the highest safety standards."
As the community grapples with this unfortunate incident, Oak Harbor authorities remain dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and visitors. The city will strive to resolve the issue promptly, ensuring that such incidents do not mar future events.