Butte teen dies as a result of carnival ride incident, B-SB sheriff confirms
The 13-year-old boy who fell from the Yo-Yo ride at the June 7 carnival in Butte has died from his injuries.
The Yo-Yo carnival ride, which stayed in Butte after a 13-year-old boy was seriously injured after falling from the ride, is pictured behind the Butte Civic Center in Butte. The young teen died Sunday evening in a Kalispell hospital.
A 13-year-old boy injured in a carnival ride incident in Butte on June 7 has died as a result of the injuries he sustained, Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff Ed Lester confirmed Monday.
The boy died Sunday evening at a Kalispell hospital. Currently, his name is not being released pending consultation with his family.
Lester said the investigation into the incident remains ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.
“Our thoughts are with the boy’s family and loved ones, as well as all those affected by this tragic loss,” said Sheriff Lester.
According to previous Montana Standard reporting, the boy fell from the Yo-Yo ride and sustained serious injuries. The ride, which lifts up to 30 feet off the ground and can include seats for about 32 riders, was immediately shut down and cordoned off pending further investigation.
Research found Yo-Yo rides involved in similar incidents over the last 25 years.
In May 2008, a Yo-Yo ride at the Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee in California collapsed, injuring 23 people. News outlets reported in November 2010 that Chance Rides Manufacturing, Brass Ring Amusements and North American Amusements had agreed to a $3.37 million payment to Robert and Deena Milligan, whose children were injured in the incident.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission also reported an accident involving a Yo-Yo ride in Philadelphia in April 2000, in which five riders received minor injuries, according to the CPSC.
The type of Yo-Yo carnival ride involved in a June 7 incident in Butte during which a teen suffered serious injuries has a history of safety problems in recent decades.
“The outpouring of love, support and well-wishes has been tremendous, and tremendously comforting and strengthening to us all,” the family said in the statement.