Some rides re-opening at Ohio State Fair

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – The Latest on the fatal amusement ride accident at Ohio State Fair (all times local):

12:30 p.m.

The children’s area attractions and some other Ohio State Fair rides are expected to re-open soon while inspections of other rides continue after a deadly accident this week.

Agriculture Department spokesman Mark Bruce said Friday the fair’s Kiddieland and other “low-impact” rides, including the giant slide, have been re-inspected and cleared to resume operations.

Gov. John Kasich (KAY’-sik) shut down all the rides and ordered them inspected again in the aftermath of a Wednesday night ride malfunction that killed one man and injured seven other people.

Bruce said 28 rides are expected to begin running again Friday afternoon. That’s fewer than half of the rides at the state fair, which opened Wednesday.

The Dutch manufacturer of the Fire Ball ride that malfunctioned has told operators of the same attraction and other fairs and festivals to halt its use while investigation continues.

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12:42 a.m.

A high school student who was killed when a thrill ride broke apart at the Ohio State Fair had just signed up with the Marines a week ago.

The 18-year-old’s girlfriend was among seven who were badly injured when the Fire Ball flung riders through the air Wednesday evening.

Tyler Jarrell had just enlisted with the Marines and was set to begin basic training after his high school graduation next year.

The ride’s Dutch manufacturer on Thursday told operators of the same attraction at fairs and festivals worldwide to stop using it until more is learned about what caused the malfunction.

Inspection records and state officials say the Fire Ball had been checked several times and a state permit was issued on Wednesday, the fair’s opening day

Ohio Gov. John Kasich shut down all rides at the fair and ordered them inspected again. He said it was too early to say whether inspectors missed something that led to the tragedy.

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7/28/2017 12:40:51 PM (GMT -4:00)