Seven injured testing roller coaster for fair

Associated Press
Published March 13, 2006

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MIAMI - Seven people were injured Sunday while testing a roller coaster for the upcoming Miami-Dade County Fair, authorities said.

The Mark 1 roller coaster was being tested by representatives of the ride's owner, North American Midway Entertainment, said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Lt. Roman Bas. "One of the carts seemed to have jumped off the tracks or was derailed. As a result, it looked like the cart kind of tipped over and the individuals fell out of the cart."

Two riders were airlifted in stable condition to a trauma center, two riders were hospitalized in stable condition, and three riders were treated at the fairgrounds and released, Bas said. No names were released.

State inspectors had not checked the ride because it was being set up, said Liz Compton, spokeswoman for the Department of Agriculture.

The accident is under investigation, she said.

The fair opens Thursday.