Lookout Below

A theme park ride collapsed in western Sweden, injuring 18 people, two seriously.  The Rainbow ride swings passengers about 30 feet into the air at high speed.  A mechanical fault caused the ride to collapse while it was swinging.  The ride was full with 36 passengers at the time, many of them children.  Around 25 ambulances were sent to the scene.

The manager on duty believes the accident was caused by a malfunctioning ball bearing.  The attraction was thoroughly inspected in the spring, and no problems were found.

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It was a nightmare for parents watching helplessly as the Yo-Yo ride spiraled out of control, tossing riders (mostly children) into the air and injuring all 23 at the Calaveras County Fair in California.  Some victims were thrown through the air as chains snapped, and three riders were airlifted to nearby hospitals.

"It dropped down and dragged the kids around in circles," said Phillip Coulson, whose godson was on the ride.  Sean Ranney, who exited the ride just before it crashed, described the scene:  "We just saw people bouncing off the ground and hitting the ride.  It happened three times.  It bounced, bounced and bounced, then people started hitting the ground."  Another witness, Cassidy Dean, was standing at the base of the ride when it went out of control.  "I just saw all these little kids smashed into the ground," she said.

Investigators were trying to determine the cause, and carnival workers were being tested for drugs.  The fair remained opened, but all carnival rides were closed as police investigated.

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