GARDEN CITY, Idaho — A minor was injured while riding the Viper on opening night of the Western Idaho Fair.
Neighborhood Reporter Brady Caskey spoke with Sean Butler of Butler Amusements Inc., who said a faulty sensor caused the ride to go out of balance.
"Just like anything else, like being in your own vehicle, it's equipment. So things do break, we have to fix them as part of a daily routine of owning a carnival," Butler said.
WATCH: Brady Caskey discusses the incident with Butler Amusements Inc.
The fair features more than 45 different rides. Butler explained that their team does daily, weekly, and monthly inspections of their equipment to make sure those rides are safe for visitors.
"We also have independent ride inspectors come on-site before the event is even opened. They were here for five days before we opened, inspecting all the rides," said Butler.
Butler explained that the minor received a small abrasion on her arm on the ride due to the malfunction, but returned to the fair with her family to ride other attractions the next day. She was treated on-site by Ada County Paramedics.
"The whole family came back and rode a lot of rides, so it was a happy ending in the end," Butler said.
Bulter Amusements Inc. has ordered new sensors with plans to replace all sensors on the ride. The Viper is expected to reopen on Tuesday.
"Our safety record speaks for itself. We’ve been in business for 55 years, have operated with literally 100 million people have ridden our rides," Butler added.
