Ohio State Fair thrill rides closed after deadly accident

One man died and seven others suffered injuries Wednesday night when a ride at the Ohio State Fair broke apart while spinning people through the air. Witnesses describe a seat falling from the ride, throwing people to the ground. Several of the injured are in critical condition. It’s not clear what caused the ride, known as the Fire Ball, to malfunction. Officials closed all rides at the state fair, which opened Wednesday and runs through Aug. 6, until they can be fully inspected. The accident also prompted officials at the California State Fair to shut its version of the Fire Ball. Inspectors did examine the rides in Ohio before the fair opened and found nothing amiss. Michael Vartorella, the state's chief inspector of amusement ride safety, insisted his team did not cut any corners: “My children, my grandchildren ride this equipment. Our guys do not rush through this stuff. We look at it, we take care of it, and we pretend it’s our own.”