Ride that injured two El Paso teenagers at Saint Anthony’s Bazaar was in compliance, officials said
By Luis Carlos Lopez, El Paso Times, Texas | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
"It's rare, but there are accidents that do occur," Hagins said about the weekend's incident.
The accident took place about
A boy and a girl, both age 13, were seated inside the "Sidewinder" just before it started moving, police said. Once the ride was in motion and spinning a door came open and the teens fell to the ground, a police news release said.
The teens, both of
The festival continued on Monday, but the rides were not in use.
"I was eating when I heard a little girl say, 'Mom, two kids fell off the ride and the ride is stuck.'"
Gallardo said that when he got closer, he saw the two teenagers about 15 feet apart from each other. He said the teenagers fell about 20 feet.
"Two bystander were saying that the ride operator had not locked the door. Other kids were saying that the boys that fell were not wearing seat belts and that their weight forced the door to open. It's two conflicting stories," Gallardo said.
No charges have been filed and the case remains under investigation, police said.
Police spokesman Detective
The ride had a liability insurance of
Hagins said
"It's a self-inspection that the operators are required to do," Hagins said.
Hagins added that the log does not have to be reported to the state's insurance department, but local law enforcement officials can use it in an investigation.
"We are very concerned and sad that this incident happened because we want to provide our community and visitors of the bazaar a safe and secure family-oriented environment," Reyes said.
Reyes added that it is to early to discuss whether their would be any changes made to next year's bazaar as far as amusement rides were concerned.
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