Homepage / Family

E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news and daily headlines.
Browse all e-mail newsletters
Related To Story

24 Injured When Carnival Ride Collapses

3 In Serious Condition

POSTED: 8:29 am EDT May 17, 2008

A carnival ride collapsed Friday evening at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds in northern California, injuring 24 people.

A swing ride called the Yo-Yo collapsed just after 6 p.m., Cal Fire's Lisa Williams said, reported KCRA-TV in Sacramento.

According to witnesses, 25 people were on the ride at the time.

The Yo-Yo has arms that fling out as they spin around an axis, said Dennis Townsend, a chief in the Calaveras County unit of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention.

State accident investigators were en route to the fairgrounds Friday night.

Laurie Giannini, the fairground's marketing director, said the fair remained open Friday night but the carnival area was shut down following the accident.

There were no fatalities, Giannini said, and the riders who received minor injuries had been treated.

Three patients in serious condition were airlifted to area hospitals, and the others were taken for medical treatment by ambulances and Calaveras Transit buses.

The Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee is held each year in late May and was inspired by the Mark Twain story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County."

Twain's tale focuses on a character and his jumping frog, named Dan'l Webster. The fictional frog-jumping contest is rigged in one gambler's favor when he secretly fills his opponent's frog with buckshot.

The Calaveras County fairgrounds is located just outside the Gold Rush-era town of Angels Camp in the Sierra Nevada foothills, about 80 miles southeast of Sacramento. It bills itself as an "old-fashioned county fair" with exhibits and a variety of entertainment.

Last year's jumping frog contest drew 4,000 entries. This year's final is scheduled for Sunday.

The jubilee has been held since 1928, according to the Union Democrat newspaper of Sonora.

Sponsored Links

Back To School

In our Back To School guide, find out how to send your student off to college with confidence, make sure your child's backpack isn't too heavy and see how much you remember from your school days. More


Links We Like
If you’re looking for quality health care, look no further. Find a doctor, dentist or hospital in your area that fits your unique needs. More

If you’re thinking of building a new home you need to know how much you can spend. Find out where you stand here. More

Take the necessary steps to be ready for that interview and you will land that job. More

Depression can vary widely in severity. Some forms you can treat yourself, others may require drugs and therapy. Let us help you sort it out. More

Like online video? Then you'll love Now See This.

Links We Like includes a selection of information, tools and resources from our partners and sponsors.

Consumer Info


Sponsored Content Provided by ARA
BHG - Home Trends


Hartford Magazine
Meriden Record-Journal
AllGreen.com