Girl Falls From Ride at Fair

A supervisor who was on the ride with her held on to her long enough toallow a tent to break her fall of eight to10 feet.

At least that's the story according to fair officials. The woman'sparents say their daughter is both mentally and physically challenged andthat they believe she fell.

The woman, who had permission from the Tammy Lynn Center to ride theAlpine Skylift, panicked on the ride, which carries passengers above themidway,Knight said. She hit the supervisor on the head with a metal safety barand tried to jump. Instead, with the supervisor's help, she hit the tentand slid to the ground.

The girl was in satisfactory condition at Wake Medical Center with abroken leg. Inspectors found no mechanical problems with the ride.

The Tammy Lynn Center provides services for Wake county families whohave family members with severe to mild development disabilities.

A worker in the concession tent the girl fell on witnessed the entireevent.

Fair Manager Sam Rand expressed concern about the incident.

Those who own and operate the rides say their hands are tied with itcomes to limiting access to mentally or physically disabled riders theybelieve could be in danger.

Counting today's accident, 17 people have been taken by ambulance tothe hospital during this year's fair. In the five completed days, theAmerican Red Cross says it has treated 392 persons at its first-aidstation. Most were minor injuries.

The three most common problems encountered by fair-goers are bleeding,headaches and nausea. There are two ambulances stationed at thefairgrounds for emergencies.