Amusement Park Accident - "Merry Mixer"
October 5, 2010 - Three adults and two children were injured at Frightland, a seasonal haunted attraction in Middletown, Delaware, at about 8:43 p.m. on Saturday night. According to reports, an independently operated ride that was part of a small Halloween-themed carnival just outside the Frightland complex caused the injuries. The Delaware State police said a ride known as the "Merry Mixer" malfunctioned. Witnesses reported that a section of the ride collapsed and then flipped over. The ride is similar to the more-familiar rides called the "Scrambler" and the "Sizzler." However, each ride is manufactured by a different company. The five injured riders were transported to a hospital for treatment of their injuries. The severity of their injuries was not reported. The incident has been ruled accidental. Investigators will still try to determine what caused the ride to fail. The State Fire Marshal's office will conduct the investigation. The Fire Marshal has issued a violation and a cease-and-desist order to make sure the ride does not go back into operation until all of the necessary inspections are complete. A Deputy Marshal said insurance personnel and a third-party inspector will be present at the inspection. The State Fire Marshal's office investigates all amusement park accidents where injuries are involved and it issues permits for carnivals such as the one at Frightland. A carnival employee said there would be no comments on the incident. A Frightland manager said there have been no serious problems with rides in their 14-year history. The manager also said the rides are inspected daily for safety. The other carnival rides were still in operation. Please call an experienced Oakland Personal Injury attorney if you or a loved one have been injured in an amusement park accident. The initial consultation is free. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you don't pay anything unless there is a monetary recovery on your case.
Photo: News Journal/Emily Varisco