An amusement park ride at a traveling fair in British Columbia has been shut down for the long weekend following the tragic death of a worker. Witnesses reported that a section of the fair’s spinning Zipper ride struck a man on its opening night in Prince Rupert, B.C.
Technical Safety B.C. has announced that the Zipper ride will not be operational during the fair’s next location in Terrace, B.C., and moving forward, specific safety directives have been issued to ensure the fair’s compliance.
According to Technical Safety B.C., the investigation into the incident in Prince Rupert is ongoing, and safety protocols must be met before the carnival can proceed in Terrace over the long weekend. The organization has confirmed that the Zipper ride will remain closed until further notice, acknowledging the carnival company’s high level of cooperation during the investigation.
Shooting Star Amusements, the operator of the traveling carnival, expressed sorrow over the loss of the worker, describing him as a beloved friend and a commendable individual. Following the worker’s passing, the carnival was promptly closed in Prince Rupert, with ticket refunds offered for the remaining scheduled days.
The tragedy occurred on the fairground at around 10:40 p.m. PT on August 26, with several attendees present at the time. Technical Safety B.C. is actively investigating the incident, collaborating with other agencies such as WorkSafeBC and the B.C. Coroners Service.
Despite attempts to contact Shooting Star Entertainment for comments on the safety measures, no response was received. The community has come together to mourn the loss of the carnival worker, emphasizing the importance of safety in amusement park operations.
