COLUMBUS (WCMH) — Columbus Division of Fire says one person is dead and five critically injured after a ride malfunctioned at the Ohio State Fair.

Battalion Chief Steve Martin said one other person is in stable condition. Wednesday was the opening day for the Fair, which runs until Aug. 6.

NBC4 has two crews on the way and will update this story with any further information. </s> COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — At least one person was killed and seven others injured when a ride malfunctioned on opening day of the Ohio State Fair, fire officials said.

Five of the injured were in critical condition and the other two were in stable condition Wednesday night at area hospitals, said Columbus Fire Battalion Chief Steve Martin.

The man who was killed was one of several who were thrown from the Fire Ball ride when it malfunctioned, Martin said.

Dramatic video captured by a bystander shows the ride swinging back and forth like a pendulum and spinning in the air when it crashes into something and part of the ride flies off, throwing riders to the ground.

In a statement, Republican Gov. John Kasich said he is “terribly saddened by this accident, by the loss of life and that people were injured enjoying Ohio’s fair.”

Kasich said he has ordered a full investigation and also ordered that all fair rides be shut down until additional safety inspections can be completed.

The fair did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment. In a post on its Twitter page it said: “There has been a report of a ride incident. We are investigating and will report information as available.” </s> COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — At least one person was killed and several others injured when a ride malfunctioned on opening day of the Ohio State Fair, fire officials said.

Some of the victims were thrown from the Fire Ball ride when it malfunctioned Wednesday night, said Columbus Battalion Chief Steve Martin.

In a statement, Republican Gov. John Kasich said he is “terribly saddened by this accident, by the loss of life and that people were injured enjoying Ohio’s fair.”

Kasich said he has ordered a full investigation and also ordered that all fair rides be shut down until additional safety inspections can be completed.

The fair did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment. In a post on its Twitter page it said: “There has been a report of a ride incident. We are investigating and will report information as available.” </s> (Reuters) - One person was killed and five others critically injured when they were thrown from a ride that appeared to malfunction on the first day of the Ohio State Fair on Wednesday, local TV news station WCMH reported fire officials on the scene as saying.

Officials from the fair in Columbus and the Columbus Division of Fire were not immediately available for comment.

"There has been a report of a ride incident. We are investigating and will report information as available," the Ohio State Fair said on its Twitter feed.

The TV station said the accident occurred on a ride where people strapped into harnesses are spun around and hoisted into the air. </s> COLUMBUS (WCMH) — Officials say one person is dead and at least seven are injured after part of a ride snapped off at the Ohio State Fair.

Video shows the Fire Ball ride swinging before a row of seats break off on the opening night of the Fair.

Governor John Kasich ordered all rides shut down until they can be inspected.

READ MORE: One dead, seven injured after reported ride malfunction at Ohio State Fair

Keep checking NBC4i.com for real-time updates on this story. To get alerts for breaking news, grab the free NBC4 News App for iPhone or Android. You can also sign up for email alerts. </s> COLUMBUS, Ohio – Columbus fire officials have confirmed that one person is dead and 6 have been injured – 5 critically – after a ride malfunctioned at the Ohio State Fair, according to WJW.

The malfunction happened as people rode the Fireball Wednesday evening, officials confirmed.

Ohio Governor John Kasich said in a statement on Twitter that he was "terribly saddened by this accident, by this loss of life and that people were injured." The governor ordered all rides at the fair to close down while the deadly incident is investigated.

The Ohio State Fair said in a statement on Twitter, "There has been a report of a ride incident. We are investigating and will report information as available."

What caused the malfunction is not yet clear. </s> The ride broke in mid-air, sending bodies flying to the ground – killing an 18-year-old boy.

The incident at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus occurred at about 7:24 p.m. last night local time. Along with the one fatality, seven were injured, three critically. The ride spins and swings riders in a pendulum-like motion. In a video posted on YouTube, the seats of the ride appear to break off leaving riders flying through the air.

Speaking at a press conference, Ohio Governor John Kasich said he’s called for a full investigation and shut down the other rides at the fair until inspections can be performed. Kasich said, “We will get to the bottom of this.” He added, “I am terribly saddened by this accident, by the loss of life and that people were injured enjoying Ohio’s fair.” </s> COLUMBUS (WCMH) — Columbus Division of Fire says one person is dead and five critically injured after a ride malfunctioned at the Ohio State Fair.

Battalion Chief Steve Martin said two people are in stable condition. One of those injured is a 13-year-old child.

Martin says one of the rows of seats on the Fire Ball ride “snapped off.”

Wednesday was the opening day for the Fair, which runs until Aug. 6.

“I am terribly saddened by this accident, by the loss of life and that people were injured enjoying Ohio’s fair. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those grieving and injured. I have ordered a full investigation into this incident and have ordered that all fair rides be shut down until additional safety inspections can be completed.”

This is a developing story. Stay with 8News online and on air for the latest updates.

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Find 8News on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram; send your news tips to iReport8@wric.com. </s> Governor Kasich ordered the rides to stop after the incident.

“Make no mistake about it. It is a very sad night,” Kaisch said.

Governor Kasich also ordered that the rides remain closed until all of them are properly checked.

Columbus Division of Fire says one person is dead, five critically injured, and two are in stable condition after a ride malfunctioned at the Ohio State Fair.

The deceased is an 18-year-old man, according to officials.

Battalion Chief Steve Martin said two people are in stable condition. One of those injured is a 13-year-old child.

Martin says one of the rows of seats on the Fire Ball ride “snapped off.”

“I want to know immediately is what are we doing with our rides,” Kasich said.

Amusements of America is the company providing rides at the State Fair this year. More information about the Fire Ball can be found on their website. It is described as an “aggressive thrill ride.”

Ride inspectors said that they usually check the ride in different stages at least 3 or 4 times before opening them.

The rides at the Ohio State Fair are now shut down, per an order from Governor John Kasich.

Governor John Kaisch said he will be at the fair tomorrow and walk around the fair. “We will get to the bottom of this. We will investigate it. There will be transparency,” Kaisch said.

Wednesday was the opening day for the Fair, which runs until August 6.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is planning to update the media around 9:00 p.m. Wednesday.
At least one person is killed and several others injured after a ride at the Ohio State Fair malfunctions while operating.