State shuts down ride after 9 hurt, 4 hospitalized following ‘malfunction’ at Tennessee’s largest fair

LEBANON, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) - Four people were hospitalized after a ride malfunctioned Wednesday night at the Wilson County–Tennessee State Fair, according to the Wilson County Emergency Management Agency.

The agency responded to the fair Wednesday night after nine people were “evaluated for injuries” after a swing ride malfunctioned, according to a spokesperson.

How did riders get hurt?

The ride owner, Reithoffer Shows, confirmed to WSMV4 that its Wave Swinger ride “stopped, and as it was coming down, a few guests came into contact with the surrounding fence.”

Four people were taken from the fair to a local hospital. None of the injuries reported Wednesday were life-threatening, per the Wilson County EMA.

The Wilson County-Tennessee State Fair confirmed the injuries in a statement to WSMV4.

“Response was immediate and all guests were provided professional medical attention,” a spokesperson for the fair said in an email. “They were taken to our new on-site medical facility adjacent to the amusement rides and received care immediately from staff by Wilson County Emergency Management Agency and Ascension Saint Thomas professionals.”

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) said it also responded on Wednesday night.

“Because this is Tennessee’s largest fair, the Amusement Device Unit has maintained an on-site presence throughout the event to oversee compliance with the state’s amusement device requirements,” a statement from the agency said. “Because of this on-site presence, the state was able to respond quickly when this incident occurred.”

What will have to be done for the ride to reopen?

TDLWD said its Amusement Device Unit is “overseeing the regulatory process” after Wednesday night’s mishap. The state says it issued a cease-and-desist order for the Wave Swinger.

TDLWD reports that Reithoffer Shows has an active annual operating permit that applies to 57 “amusement devices.” TDLWD said a third-party vendor inspected the Wave Swinger the day before the fair opened, on August 12. Ahead of that assessment, the ride had a new computer system and motor device installed, per TDLWD.

“The third-party inspector advised the state that the manufacturer will need to determine whether that equipment affected the device’s functionality,” the state’s message to WSMV4 said.

Reithoffer Shows said Thursday morning that “a state inspector is now examining the amusement attraction and, at this time, has found no abnormality with the ride.”

But the state agency clarified its role in a statement to WSMV4.

“The Amusement Device Unit does not conduct accident investigations. Inspections and assessments are performed by qualified third-party inspectors. The state’s role is to oversee the process, review the required documentation, and determine whether a device meets the operational requirements,” the state agency explained in a statement to WSMV4.