10-Year-Old Boy Seriously Injured After Being Thrown from Carnival Ride at Antioch Festival
Antioch, IL - More details are emerging after a 10-year-old boy was ”seriously injured” and had to be airlifted to two different hospitals over the weekend. The incident occurred at Antioch’s Taste of Summer festival on Sunday afternoon, where the boy was apparently thrown from a carnival ride called Moby Dick.
Authorities were alerted to the incident at 2:40 p.m. and upon arrival, they discovered that the boy had been thrown from the ride. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital but due to the severity of his injuries, he was later airlifted to another hospital. The victim, identified as Huntley Daniels, underwent multiple surgeries on Monday and is said to be recovering well.
Huntley’s grandmother, Dawne Pohlman, described him as a strong and tough kid. The family, who are longtime residents of Antioch, often attend the Taste of Summer event, making the tragedy even more difficult to comprehend.
Another boy who was on the same ride expressed uncertainty about its safety, stating that the safety bar would come up over his head and he had to slam it down to close it.
A GoFundMe page has been set up by family members to support Huntley, claiming that he was thrown approximately 10-20 feet in the air. According to officials, he suffered multiple facial and jaw fractures, as well as a significant leg injury. Although his injuries are not life-threatening, he remains in critical but stable condition.
Following the incident, Antioch Mayor Scott Gartner issued an executive order to halt all rides at the event. The Antioch Police Department secured the ride to prevent tampering and requested an on-scene inspector from the Illinois Department of Labor. The department is responsible for inspecting and permitting public rides, ensuring they meet safety standards.
The ride involved in the incident, operated by All Around Amusement of Lockport, Illinois, had passed inspection and was issued a permit to operate. However, a “stop order” has been issued to prohibit further operation of the ride until a thorough inspection can be conducted.
Both the Illinois Department of Labor and the Antioch Police Department will be conducting investigations to determine the cause of the incident. The investigations are expected to take several months, and criminal charges may be considered depending on the findings.
Antioch city leaders are scheduled to meet to discuss the incident further and work with the Chamber of Commerce to prevent similar accidents in the future.
This incident adds to a series of accidents on summer rides this year, including people being trapped on a roller coaster in Wisconsin and a large crack found in a support column of a roller coaster in North Carolina. In another incident, a woman in Michigan suffered traumatic brain injuries after being struck by a metal bracket that fell off a roller coaster in Ohio.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of carnival rides and preventing such accidents from happening again.
How can the Antioch community ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future and what measures can be taken to enhance safety on carnival rides
L fractures, a broken arm, and severe head trauma. The funds raised will go towards Huntley’s medical expenses and ongoing rehabilitation.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of carnival rides at the Taste of Summer festival. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the accident and whether proper safety protocols were followed.
The carnival ride in question, Moby Dick, has been temporarily shut down pending further investigation. The ride operator, Carnival Rides Inc., could face potential legal action depending on the outcome of the investigation.
The incident has left the Antioch community shaken, with many expressing their support for Huntley and his family. Local businesses and organizations have also rallied together to provide assistance and support during this difficult time.
As Huntley continues his recovery, his family remains hopeful for his healing and grateful for the outpouring of love and support they have received from the community. They urge parents to be cautious when allowing their children on carnival rides and to always prioritize safety.
This is truly heartbreaking. The safety of our children should always be prioritized in such amusement parks. Hoping for a swift investigation to find answers and prevent similar incidents in the future.
This incident highlights the urgent need for stricter safety regulations and thorough inspections of amusement park rides. The well-being of our children should always be the top priority.