Overview
- The incident occurred around noon Saturday in New Roads, where two girls under 13 were thrown from a Ferris wheel and hospitalized, with at least one airlifted to Baton Rouge.
- Officials have not released full medical details, and reports on the severity of injuries vary as authorities confirm the investigation is active.
- After inspections, festival attractions largely reopened, but the Ferris wheel remains closed pending findings by the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal.
- Witnesses said a bucket appeared to tip or catch on wires, sending the girls an estimated 15 to 20 feet onto a steel platform as a third rider was rescued from the carriage.
- Attendees raised safety concerns about the ride, citing the absence of seat belts and unusual cracking noises reported the previous day.