Six British theme parks close pendulum rides after teen is killed in US horror accident
The UK rides have been taken out of use until they have been re-inspected
SIX British theme parks have shut rides following the death of teenager in America.
Last week youngsters were thrown 30ft in the air during a fairground tragedy in Ohio killing Tyler Jarrell, 18, who had just enlisted in the US Marines days before.
Seven others were injured including Tyler's girlfriend Keziah Lewis, 19, of Columbus.
Today it has emerged that five theme parks with similar rides to the Fireball pendulum ride at the Ohio State Fair have been in the UK after an enforcement notice has been issued by the Health and Safety Executive on "swinging pendulum" rides.
This includes Pleasure Wood Hills, Norfolk, Ryan Crow Amusements, North East, Coney Beach Fair, South Wales, Joseph Manning, Herefordshire, Brean Theme Park, Somerset.
A Health and Safety Executive spokesman said: "HSE is aware of the tragic accident involving the KMG Afterburner (themed as Fire Ball) machine in Ohio on July 26.
"There are five machines of this version operating in UK and all have been thoroughly inspected within the last 12 months. There is no verified information regarding the immediate cause of the US accident.
"Following the incident, HSE initiated a re-inspection of these machines. As a result, an Enforcement Notice has been served on the machines, which are now to be taken out of use until the notices have been complied with.
"HSE will ensure operators are kept abreast of information as it arrives and will take such action as is necessary to ensure the rides are inspected and tested as necessary to ensure safety."
A sixth ride at Lightwater Valley in North Yorkshire was immediately taken out of use by the operator independently of the HSE.
Lightwater Valley said its Eagle's Claw ride was not running, telling visitors: "Due to circumstances beyond our control this ride is currently closed, apologies for any inconvenience this may cause."
An HSE spokesman added: "The sixth, at Lightwater Valley in North Yorkshire, was immediately taken out of use following the incident in Ohio.
"This was a decision taken independently by the operator.
"Lightwater Valley has agreed to keep this machine out of use until the other five notices have been complied with."
In Ohio a pod on the Fireball pendulum ride snapped off in mid-air — sending youngster hurtling to the ground on Wednesday.
State Highway Patrol today identified Tyler, who five days ago was pictured on Facebook in a blue Marines t-shirt in front of military flags.
The other injured victims have also been named as Tamika Dunlap, 36, of Reynoldsburg; Russell Franks, 42, of Columbus; Jacob Andrews, 22, of Pataskala; Jennifer Lambert, 18, of Columbus; and Abdihakim Hussein, 19, of Columbus.
Manchester United fan Tyler enlisted after graduating from Franklin Heights High School in his hometown of Colombus weeks earlier, and appeared in another photo holding the seal of the US Navy Marine Corps.
In a tragic twist, it emerged he had been at the fairground with girlfriend Keziah just after attending her grandfather's funeral.
She learned of Tyler's passing as she was treated in critical condition in hospital last week.
Her heartbroken mum Clarissa Williams told that she had to break the news to her.
“She kept asking for her boyfriend. I had to tell her he was the one who was deceased", she said.
Video reportedly taken moments before the horror shows the ride swinging back and forth before parts break off, sending thrill-seekers flying through the air.
Fire chief Steve Martin told local media that the pod holding the victims had landed on the ground about 50ft away.
The ride combines swinging and spinning, flinging people back and forth.
Gov. John Kasich called it the worst tragedy in the history of the fair.
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He released a statement Wednesday evening which read: "I am terribly saddened by this accident, by the loss of life and that people were injured enjoying Ohio’s fair.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to those grieving and injured.
"I have ordered a full investigation into this incident and have ordered that all fair rides be shut down until additional safety inspections can be completed."
Local authorities said the rain had hampered their investigation into what happened.
The state fair confirmed on Twitter there had been a report of a ride malfunction.
They said: "We are investigating and will report information as available."
The fair was celebrating its 164th year in 2017.
A full investigation has now been launched.
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