Two young girls were urgently taken to the hospital following an accident at a Ferris wheel during the Louisiana Harvest Festival on Friday, according to local authorities.
Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff René Thibodeaux informed Fox News Digital that a distressing incident occurred around noon on Saturday, November 1. His chief deputy reported that three girls had been enjoying a Ferris wheel ride at the festival in New Roads, Louisiana, when two of them were ejected from the ride. The girls plummeted approximately 15 to 20 feet to the ground.
Sheriff Thibodeaux further explained that the third girl managed to cling to the Ferris wheel, while concerned bystanders rushed to her aid and successfully ensured her safe descent.
The accident, which took place during the annual fall festival, prompted immediate action from first responders who provided initial treatment at the scene. The injured girls were then airlifted to Baton Rouge Children’s Hospital. Sheriff Thibodeaux described their injuries as ranging from moderate to severe. Fortunately, one of the girls has since been discharged, while the other remains under medical care.
“We are thankful to the good Lord that both girls are expected to recover,” Sheriff Thibodeaux expressed with relief.
“Thank the good Lord that they will both recover,” Thibodeaux said.
Spectators of the fall said that it appeared that the Ferris wheel “majorly malfunctioned.” (WAFB)
Witnesses described a terrifying scene as the ride appeared to malfunction.
“I’ll probably never get on another Ferris wheel,” one witness said. “I looked over and the Ferris wheel — the car was kinked over. I don’t know how it got stuck like that. They had a major malfunction. Someone didn’t do something right, that’s for sure.”
The Harvest Festival is a three-day annual event on False River in Louisiana. It runs through Sunday, Nov. 2. (WAFB)
Another witness said he noticed something was wrong moments before the fall.
“It was bad — it wasn’t supposed to be cracking like that,” he said. “They need to take this down. When the Ferris wheel goes, the cars are supposed to swing with it, but it got stuck. And as it was going around, it was just stuck at an angle.”
Authorities have not yet released details on what caused the ride to malfunction. The incident remains under investigation.
