Midway rides going ahead in Alberta communities after safety inspections

Carnival midway rides will go ahead in two Alberta communities this weekend, a week after two people were injured on rides operated by the same company in Stony Plain.

Inspectors with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and the Alberta Elevating Devices Amusement Rides Safety Association (AEDARSA) were on site in Devon and Brooks Thursday to assess the rides operated by Wild Rose Shows.

On Friday, it was announced that the midway rides will go ahead in both communities.

The rides will be a part of Devon Days and the Newell Pro Rodeo in Brooks.

The Silver Sage Community Corral in Brooks shared a letter from AEDARSA, which states the rides had passed inspection.

The Town of Devon said in a news release that Wild Rose needed to meet several conditions but the community is satisfied the rides are safe.

"Safety at the event was our top concern through meeting with Wild Rose Shows and we are glad to see that it was just as important for them as they met all of the criteria we were looking for to have a safe and fun weekend here in Devon," Mayor Jeff Craddock said in the release.

The news release says that the two rides that caused injuries last week have been pulled from the rotation for Devon Days as they undergo further inspection.

The Town of Morinville also announced that it has cancelled the midway portion of its upcoming Festival Days in June due to the safety concerns about the rides.

Questions were raised after a child and 18-year-old woman were sent to hospital last Friday in separate incidents on midway rides in Stony Plain, just west of Edmonton.

Brianne Garskey, 18, said she was injured after going on the "Hurricane" ride, which features cars that are swung around like a propeller. 

Garskey said in an earlier interview with CBC that she was left with a dislocated shoulder and bruising. She said she spent six hours in hospital and also had to get stitches for a cut on her leg.

After the incidents, Stony Plain requested an inspection and cancelled all midway rides for the rest of the weekend.

'It's all about safety'

Wild Rose Shows owner Michael Kryzanowski said the situation is unacceptable and that all safety issues should be addressed before re-opening. He was present for on-site inspections in Devon while he was also conducting scheduled maintenance on the rides. 

"If we're doing something wrong, I don't want to open anything," he said.

Kryzanowski also apologized for how the situation in Stony Plain unfolded. 

"[In] today's day and age, it's all about safety." 

Kryzanowski said the company will review the results of the inspections and be more proactive to ensure through and timely reviews are done on their rides.

Dean McKernon, vice-president of operations with AEDARSA, said in a statement Sunday the association is working with Wild Rose Shows to address issues.

Sean Weatherall said his family also had concerns about midway rides at a St. Albert event in early May. 

"I was with my daughter standing beside the bumper cars and it caught fire," he said.

"It just started billowing smoke and the ride attendant was like shouting at everyone to evacuate."

Weatherall said two of his sons also had a frightening experience with the "Hurricane" ride, the same one that 18-year-old Garskey said left her with injuries in Stony Plain.

"After the ride was ready to go, and the attendant was walking back to fire it up, their safety mechanism disengaged," Weatherall said.