At the annual Harvest Festival in New Roads, Louisiana, two young girls under the age of 13 were thrown from a ferris wheel ride around noon on Saturday, suffering serious injuries and being rushed to a hospital—one via airlift. A third rider was reportedly left trapped in the basket and had to be rescued by emergency responders.
Witnesses at the scene described a chilling moment when the ride’s car seemed to catch on wires, tilt, and then eject the girls from a height of roughly 20-25 feet, with one landing face-first on the platform below. Some guests who had ridden the same attraction earlier voiced concern, noting unfamiliar creaking and movement in the cart the night before the incident.
In response, the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal launched an investigation into the ride’s malfunction, and festival organizers shut down that ferris wheel and a nearby slide until they could be safely inspected. The incident has raised questions about ride safety protocols at seasonal festivals and the importance of thorough inspection and maintenance—especially when children are involved.
