Continued from Part 1. The swing ride injury lawyers at Denena Points, PC mention that after the sudden halt and wreck of the Zumur at the Oyster Festival in Norwalk, Connecticut, the ride was disassembled and inspected. The disassembly and inspection took place in the presence of state police inspectors, consumer affairs officials, a representative from Chance Rides (the successor in interest to the ride manufacturer), and an insurance company investigator. When the ride’s hydraulic motor was taken apart, it was discovered that a 16-inch metal shaft that helped to spin the ride had broken. (Source: The Galveston County Daily News, 10/18/13)
Our swing ride injury lawyers note that local officials had inspected all the rides of the ride owner, Stewart Amusements, before the Festival started. They say the inspection found a few minor problems, though none with he Zumur ride. The minor problems had been a need for more fencing around a ride and loose blocking in another ride. State officials also noted that Stewart Amusements had no history of safety violations. (Source: Dave Collins, Associated Press, 10/17/13)
Chance Rides is now (after a serious accident) notifying other owners and operators of the Zumur swing rides that they should check the gears and shafts of the hydraulic motors with ultrasound testing equipment for problems. This seems a bit much to ask as routine, ongoing maintenance of a carnival ride. Does the average ride operator have ultrasonic testing equipment just sitting about? Or will this test significantly add to the cost of operating the ride?
Our swing ride injury lawyers note that ride manufacturers, when they are aware of defects or flaws that could lead to problems (as Chance Rides seems to vaguely indicate it might have been aware of with regards to the wearing down of the Zumur gears), they are supposed to issue Technical Service Bulletins (much like recalls) to the ride owners and operators instructing them to fix, replace, or discontinue using the rides. It looks like no such Technical Service Bulletin was released with regard to the gear problem and need for extra maintenance for the Zumur rides.
Look at the Sea Dragon accident a couple of years back in New Jersey. The pirate ship ride had a flaw in the central mast anchoring mechanism. A Technical Service Bulletin had been released in that case by Chance Rides, though it appears the ride operator might not have received it or perhaps heeded it. The central mast on the Sea Dragon ride in New Jersey gave way and caused some serious injuries. Click the link to read about the Sea Dragon accident in New Jersey.
The Technical Service Bulletin for the Sea Dragon came from Chance Rides, the manufacturer. At least in the case of the Sea Dragon, the swing ride injury lawyers at Denena Points, PC note that the company had sent notices of the defect and the need for repair to ride owners and operators. It doesn’t seem that a similar Bulletin went out for the Zumur in time to avert a serious injury accident however.