MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Officials at the Delta Fair in Memphis where eight riders were hurt say they were told by first responders that there were no visible injuries.
Media outlets report that fair officials didn't learn the injuries' extent until the riders were taken to a hospital.
In a statement Sunday, officials apologized for initially downplaying the incident. Among the injuries were a fractured leg, wrist and collarbone.
The incident happened Saturday on the Moonraker. Fair safety director Matt Snyder says the ride's computer detected a problem and immediately began safety shutdown. As the ride stopped spinning and began to descend, the operator panicked and pressed a manual override button that released safety restraints before it settled into its cradle.
Some riders fell into metal bars or slid out of their seats.