FORT WAYNE — After an extensive inspection, a ride similar to the one that broke down at the Ohio State Fair Wednesday has resumed operations at the Allen County Fair.

Fair Chairman Jerry Hammon released this statement:

“The Freak Out ride currently on our midway has undergone extensive inspections today, and has been given approval by the ride’s manufacturer, by North American Midway Entertainment and by the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office to resume operation. It will be running along with all of our other midway rides for the duration of the Allen County Fair.”

“Freak Out” is the fair’s most similar ride to the one that broke down at the Ohio State Fair Wednesday and killed a man. When the ride in Ohio, called “Fire Ball,” malfunctioned seven others were injured. Hammon shut down the “Freak Out” ride earlier today in wake of the tragedy.

The Indiana State Fire Marshal inspects all fair rides in Indiana once a year. The inspection includes checking paperwork, mechanics, and the emergency brake. Then the Huntertown Fire Department inspects all the rides when they’re first set up at the Allen County Fairgrounds.

John Erickson with the Indiana State Fire Marshal said that they put a sticker on every ride that passes inspection. He said if a ride has a sticker and it hasn’t expired, people are good to go.

“As long as I see the sticker that there is an inspection and that ride is to code, I am fine with my children riding those rides and I will ride those rides,” he said. “I know the people that do these inspections and I know that they work hard to bring those rides into compliance.”

Freak Out and Fire Ball are both made by KMG, a Dutch amusement manufacturer. The company had shut down all of it’s rides until they are done investigating what happened at the Ohio State Fair. Hammon said the company allowed the “Freak Out” to resume operations.

Allen County Fair Statement

Source: WANE