A devastating incident occurred over the weekend when two girls were hospitalized after being ejected from a Ferris wheel during an event in Louisiana. The accident, which unfolded on Saturday afternoon at the Harvest Festival in New Roads, left one child with broken bones and another potentially suffering from brain bleeding, according to reports.
Witnesses described the horrifying moment as the Ferris wheel paused mid-ride, with one of its suspended baskets flipping upside down. The girls fell approximately 20 feet onto a steel platform below, while a third clung to the inverted basket, which remained about 15 feet in the air. Ronald Brasseaux, a spectator who had previously ridden the attraction, expressed concerns about its safety, stating, “They need to take this thing down.”
Local authorities confirmed the incident, with the Louisiana State Fire Marshals inspecting all festival rides. The Ferris wheel remained closed after the accident, while other attractions were reopened. Investigators are examining potential mechanical failures in the seating mechanism, though no official cause has been disclosed. Both girls were transported to a Baton Rouge hospital for treatment and are expected to survive.
The Harvest Festival, which runs through Sunday, features agricultural exhibits, food vendors, and entertainment. The incident has raised questions about safety protocols for temporary amusement equipment.