Ohio State Fair fatal ride accident: What we know now

One man was killed and seven were injured when a ride malfunctioned on the opening day of the 2017 Ohio State Fair in Columbus on Wednesday.

Here is what we know now:

One dead, several injured. One person is dead and seven injured - five critically - after the events Wednesday night. The man who died was killed on impact after being thrown into the air and landing on the ground 50 feet from the ride.

Fair Accident Victims ID'd. The names of those involved in the accident were released just before 11 a.m. Thursday morning.

Tyler Jarrell, 18, of Columbus Ohio, was the man that was killed upon impact after being thrown from the ride.

The following victims were transported to area hospitals:

  • Russel Franks, 42, of Columbus, Ohio
  • Tamika Dunlap, 36, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio
  • Jacob Andrews, 22, of Pataskala, Ohio
  • Keziah Lewis, 19, of Columbus, Ohio
  • Abdihakim Hussein, 19, of Columbus, Ohio
  • Jennifer Lambert, 18, of Columbus, Ohio
  • A 14-year-old male whose name is being withheld at the request of the family

The ride. The Fire Ball swings riders 40 feet above the fair midway and spins them at 13 revolutions per minute. The ride debuted in 2002 and is one of the Amusements of America's most popular thrill rides, according to the company website.

Manufacturer shuts down all Fire Balls. Dutch manufacturer KMG told operators on Thursday to shut down all Fire Balls across the world until the ride can be investigated and learn what caused the malfunction. The company says there are 43 such rides around the world, including 11 in the United States.

» MORE INFO: 5 things to know about The Fire Ball ride

Inspection of the Fire Ball. The Fire Ball received a "satisfactory" rating on its daily inspection report on July 26. The inspection included a total of 25 points of inspection that included checking attachments brackets on the seat, making sure the ride will not start with a seat fault light on, and checking operational controls.

All rides shut down. The Ohio State Fair posted to their Twitter page announcing the fair will open at its normal time of 9 a.m. today, but all rides are shut down until the "state has inspected each and every ride again and deemed them to be safe."

Gov. Kasich speaks about the incident. On the grounds of the state fair, Gov. John Kasich announced all available information about the Fire Ball - and other rides at the fair - will be made available for public scrutiny. He wants the information made available because there may be things that can be learned and could apply at other state and county fairs and amusement parks, he said.

» RELATED: How common are festival ride accidents?

» WATCH: Past footage of Fire Ball operating

Kasich said he will be at the fairgrounds today, hoping to be able to speak with the people who were affected by the fatal ride accident.

Incident caught on camera. A fairgoer was able to capture the incident on camera. A warning that the video might be graphic for some:

About the Authors