One Man Dies in Mass. Fair Ride Accident

SHREWSBURY, Mass. – A carnival ride broke apart during a church fair Sunday, killing a man and injuring two other people.

Shrewsbury police said the spinning-car ride came apart about 2 p.m. near Saint Mary’s Church and parochial school.

“It was really just a nightmare, a lot of children crying, mothers crying, more blood than I’ve ever seen,” said Kathleen Madaus, 44, of Shrewsbury.

Her 11-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, said she saw a man hit the ground after falling out of the ride, called the “Sizzler.”

“I saw him about a foot off the ground and land on his face,” Elizabeth said. “There were like 5-year-olds who had to see that and I feel bad for them.”

Police Chief Wayne Sampson said two men were taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center. He said one of the men died at the hospital and the other is in serious condition. A third person sustained minor injuries and did not require hospitalization, Sampson said.

Sampson would not identify the victims or name the carnival ride operators.

The parish pastor, the Rev. Paul O’Connell, would not answer questions about the incident. “I ask that you help all of us here at Saint Mary’s with your prayers,” he said.

The ride has three rotating arms, each carrying four rotating sets of two-seat cars in the design of classic 1950s automobiles. The ride is about three feet off the ground and parishioners said it does not lift into the air.

One of the cars was visibly damaged, and wreckage could be seen on the ground.

“It was a terrible tragedy,” said Lynda Lopriore, 52, who saw the injured being treated at the Saint Mary’s Family Festival, which has been held at the church for years.

Shrewsbury is about 40 miles west of Boston.