What we know about amusement ride malfunction at St. John the Beloved Carnival Tuesday

Esteban Parra, Delaware News Journal
·2 min read

Inspectors and fire officials were at St. John the Beloved Church Wednesday morning where about 20 people were trapped on the Zipper ride for hours after it malfunctioned the night before during the Milltown church's annual carnival.

Two people, ages ranging from eight to 13, suffered non-life-threatening injuries following the ride malfunction, according to the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s office.

While the ride still stood silent in the church's parking lot, located at 907 Milltown Road, crews could be seen Wednesday morning cleaning the surrounding area of trash as the carnival will open Wednesday evening.

There Zipper ride (right) where two people were injured is being removed before St. John the Beloved Church Carnival resumes on Wednesday (June 7, 2023).
There Zipper ride (right) where two people were injured is being removed before St. John the Beloved Church Carnival resumes on Wednesday (June 7, 2023).

More: 20 riders rescued after amusement ride malfunction at St. John the Beloved Carnival

Here is what we know so far.

What happened Tuesday night?

The ride, which features strong vertical G-forces and numerous spins, malfunctioned about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

A carnival attendee told Delaware Online/The News Journal they heard three loud bangs coming from the ride before seeing one of the free-flipping cages fall over other cages and become lodged in the ride's oblong frame.

How many people were stuck on the ride?

About 20 people were trapped on the ride while firefighters from across New Castle County worked to free them.

An amusement ride malfunctioned at St. John the Beloved Church's annual carnival, leaving 20 people trapped on the Zipper ride for hours on June 6, 2023.
An amusement ride malfunctioned at St. John the Beloved Church's annual carnival, leaving 20 people trapped on the Zipper ride for hours on June 6, 2023.

Was anyone injured?

Two people were taken to Christiana Hospital for medical evaluation of their injuries.

Was the ride inspected before the carnival?

First responders were called to the annual carnival at St. John the Beloved in Milltown after the Zipper carnival ride broke, leaving people trapped on the ride, Tuesday, June 6, 2023.
First responders were called to the annual carnival at St. John the Beloved in Milltown after the Zipper carnival ride broke, leaving people trapped on the ride, Tuesday, June 6, 2023.

The ride passed safety inspection on May 24.

It was previously inspected in April 2022 after a "total rebuild," according to the report obtained by Delaware Online/The News Journal.

More: Zipper carnival ride that malfunctioned Tuesday passed safety inspection in May, per report

The ride is owned by Lynam's Amusements out of Williamstown, New Jersey, and claims the ride to be the "absolute ultimate in intensity."

"If you like extreme thrill you must ride the zipper, you won't find an experience like it anywhere else," according to Lynam's Amusements' website.

What caused the malfunction?

Lynam's Amusements is the owner of the Zipper ride, which malfunctioned at a church carnival trapping about 20 people, two of which were injured.
Lynam's Amusements is the owner of the Zipper ride, which malfunctioned at a church carnival trapping about 20 people, two of which were injured.

An employee of the New Jersey company, who only went by Earl, said one of the ride's cables came loose and jammed up. "It just loosened up," he said. "That's all."

The malfunction remains under investigation by the state fire marshal's office.

Will the carnival continue?

The State Fire Marshal’s office said the ride would be taken down Wednesday.

The carnival, which benefits St. John the Beloved parish and its athletic association, will resume operations at 6 p.m. Wednesday and run until 10 p.m.

Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware carnival ride malfunction: What we know about what happened