Two Girls Sustain Injuries After Falling from Ferris Wheel in Louisiana

On a Saturday afternoon, a distressing incident at a Louisiana festival led to two young girls being hospitalized. The girls were thrown off a Ferris wheel, resulting in one suffering from fractures and the other potentially experiencing brain bleeding.

Eyewitnesses captured images and videos showing the Ferris wheel paused unexpectedly at the Harvest Festival in New Roads, located approximately 40 miles from Baton Rouge. The ride appeared to have one of its seating baskets precariously flipped upside down.

Those present reported seeing the girls being ejected from the seat as the Ferris wheel continued to move. This horrifying event saw the girls plummet at least 20 feet onto the hard steel platform beneath, while a third girl managed to cling to the tilting basket about 15 feet above ground.

Ronald Brasseaux, an onlooker, described the terrifying moment: "The basket got stuck at an angle and they just flew out." Brasseaux, who had ridden the same Ferris wheel the day prior, had already felt it was unsafe and suggested it should be dismantled.

Currently, a detailed investigation is being conducted by the State Fire Marshal's Office to determine the causes behind the malfunction. Officials are responsible for executing safety inspections on amusement rides such as those at the New Roads Harvest Festival. In light of the event, only the Ferris wheel and an adjacent ride were shut down temporarily.

The incident occurred close to noon, stated Sheriff Rene' Thibodeaux from Pointe Coupee Parish, whose team responded to the emergency. The annual Harvest Festival celebrates the local agricultural community and draws numerous attendees.

Efforts are ongoing to reach the sheriff and fire marshal's departments for further insights on the incident.