At least 20 rescued after "Zipper" ride breaks down at Wilmington church carnival
WILMINGTON, Del. (CBS) - Officials are investigating after at least 24 people, including 2 girls, were rescued from a ride at a church carnival in Wilmington, Del.
It happened at St. John the Beloved Church on Miltown Road around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
The Mill Creek Fire Company responded to a report of the amusement ride the "Zipper" malfunctioning with several riders onboard.
Rescue crews used ladder trucks to bring the children down.
Two were taken to Christiana Hospital with minor injuries.
"They were all pulled off within 3 hours. So they did a great job," Delaware Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Robert Fox said.
State fire marshals are investigating the scene, looking into the cause of the incident. Before the ride malfunctioned it passed a safety inspection.
It appeared that some bolts got loose, causing one cage to fall on top of another, forcing the ride to an abrupt stop.
"Being the guy that inspected this several days ago, I was obviously concerned. Did I screw up or not? I took a look at all the equipment and all the parts, and it was fine," President of FX Inspection Services, Inc., Frank Guenthner said.
"It's very disappointing. Of course, it's always a risk. You never know what's going to happen when you have these rides," Pastor Joe Piekarki of St. John the Beloved Roman Catholic Church said.
Despite the accident, the carnival will go on. It's scheduled to take place every night through Saturday. But the Zipper won't be there.
"As far as I can determine, I've inspected them to make sure that they meet the code," Guenthner said. "So everything should be in a good position to make sure we don't have any accidents."
The Zipper is being dismantled for inspection and repairs.
