Fire Ball midway ride pulled from Saskatoon, Regina fairs after fatal accident in U.S.

The type of midway ride that broke apart, killing an 18-year-old man at the Ohio State Fairon Wednesday and injuring seven others, will be pulled from the Saskatoon Ex and the Queen City Ex this year.

The midway operator for the two fairs,North American Midway Entertainment, is taking all of itsFire Ballrides out of service until the cause of the failure is determined.

The company is not the midway provider at the Ohio State Fair.

The company shut down theFire Ballride this week at Edmonton's K-Daysfair. The ride has also been pulled from theCanadian National Exhibition in Toronto in August.

The man who was killed in Columbus, Ohio, was one of several people thrown to the ground when the ride malfunctioned.

The ride seats 24 and swings back and forthlike a pendulum while rotating.

Saskatoon Ex and PrairielandPark say North American Midway Entertainment has rigorous safety procedures in place for the operation of the rides, and they are confident in the operation of the midway during the fair Aug. 8-13.

The Queen City Ex happens Aug. 2-6.

• MORE SASKATOON NEWS |Man wanted on Canada-wide warrant nabbed for swimming in Saskatoon
• MORE SASKATOON NEWS |Overnight house fire in Saskatoon causes $325K in damage