LIGHTWATER Valley and a fair operator in the region have both had one of their rides shut down following a death at a fair in the US.

The swinging pendulum ride, The Eagle’s Claw, has been closed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as a precaution after an 18-year-old was killed on a similar ride at a fair in Ohio.

A second ride, operated by Ryan Crow Amusements, which stages funfairs in towns and cities in North Yorkshire and the North-East, including Northallerton, has also been closed down.

It comes after a fatal incident at a fair in Ohio. A high school student, Tyler Jarrell, 18, had been riding on the KMG Afterburner, also known as the Fireball ride, which swings from side-to-side whilst also spinning passengers at high speed. But he was flung from the ride when his seat came free and suffered fatal injuries. Seven other people were also injured, some of them critically.

The cause of the accident is as yet unknown, but the HSE has ordered the temporary closure of similar rides in the UK as they are re-inspected.  

The Eagle’s Claw is one of Lightwater Valley’s most popular rides.

A spokesman for the theme park, near Ripon, North Yorkshire said they were "deeply saddened" to hear of the US incident.

He continued: "While there are fundamental and significant differences between our ride and the one involved in this terrible incident, we entirely support the HSE's decision to not operate these types of ride in Great Britain until all the facts are known and a comprehensive investigation has taken place.

"Our ride has undergone the most stringent of safety checks, however as a precaution we strongly believe this is the correct and responsible thing to do. The safety and wellbeing of our visitors is of paramount importance.

"We will, of course, notify the public when the ride is back in operation."

There is no current timescale on when the ride at Lightwater Valley will reopen and the theme park owners say they are being guided by the HSE and its recommendations.  

The HSE said it was aware of the "tragic accident" involving the KMG Afterburner, which was themed as Fire Ball in Columbus, Ohio.

A spokeswoman said: "There are six machines of this version operating in the UK which were all thoroughly inspected within the last 12 months in line with agreed procedures.

"There is no verified information regarding the immediate cause of the US accident. Following the incident, HSE initiated a re-inspection of these machines.

"As a result, on Friday 28 July an enforcement notice was served on five of the machines, which are now to be taken out of use until the notices have been complied with.

"The sixth, at Lightwater Valley in North Yorkshire, was immediately taken out of use following the incident in Ohio.

"This was a decision taken independently by the operator. Lightwater Valley has agreed to keep this machine out of use until the other five notices have been complied with."

The other rides are based at Pleasurewood Hills in Suffolk, Coney Beach in South Wales and Brean Theme Park in Somerset. Another affected ride is owned by Joseph Manning in Herefordshire.