colleyvillesooner
10/4/2006, 08:45 AM
Bungee cord breaks at fair
A bungee cord on a thrill ride broke, leaving a man dangling 25 feet off the ground for a half- hour until he was rescued by Tulsa firefighters.
Steve Alan Stone, 48, was not seriously hurt in the incident Monday at the Tulsa State Fair. A ride worker also was helped down by rescuers.
The ride, called the Ejection Seat, consists of a two-seat chair that is suspended from two towers by bungee cords. Passengers are propelled as high as 200 feet at speeds of about 60 mph.
Shortly after Stone was launched, one of the cords broke, leaving the seat dangling sideways near one of the towers, Tulsa County Sheriff's Capt. Fred Cotton said.
The malfunction is being investigated by the state Labor Department, which oversees fair ride safety.
The ride's four bungee cords were replaced Saturday, said Don Hankins, senior amusement ride inspector.
Although the bungee cord broke, State Fair Manager Amber Phillips said, "the ride's rip cord - a redundant safety device -- operated exactly as designed, averting any serious injuries."
From Staff and Wire Reports
;)
A bungee cord on a thrill ride broke, leaving a man dangling 25 feet off the ground for a half- hour until he was rescued by Tulsa firefighters.
Steve Alan Stone, 48, was not seriously hurt in the incident Monday at the Tulsa State Fair. A ride worker also was helped down by rescuers.
The ride, called the Ejection Seat, consists of a two-seat chair that is suspended from two towers by bungee cords. Passengers are propelled as high as 200 feet at speeds of about 60 mph.
Shortly after Stone was launched, one of the cords broke, leaving the seat dangling sideways near one of the towers, Tulsa County Sheriff's Capt. Fred Cotton said.
The malfunction is being investigated by the state Labor Department, which oversees fair ride safety.
The ride's four bungee cords were replaced Saturday, said Don Hankins, senior amusement ride inspector.
Although the bungee cord broke, State Fair Manager Amber Phillips said, "the ride's rip cord - a redundant safety device -- operated exactly as designed, averting any serious injuries."
From Staff and Wire Reports
;)