News Summary
An unfortunate incident occurred at Aiken Fest when a 4-year-old child was thrown from the Arctic Blast carnival ride, but fortunately, no serious injuries were reported. The incident took place in the afternoon and led to the child being taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation. Local law enforcement investigated but deemed it a civil matter, as the ride had previously passed safety inspections. Despite this, festival-goers continued to enjoy the diverse attractions available. Safety protocols are under scrutiny following this event.
Aiken, South Carolina – A child was thrown from the Arctic Blast carnival ride during the Aiken Fest on Sunday, although reports indicate no serious injuries resulted from the incident. The event occurred between 2:20 and 2:30 p.m. and involved a 4-year-old child who was subsequently taken to the hospital for evaluation.
Following the incident, the child’s mother contacted deputies from the Wellstar MCG hospital in nearby Augusta. Local law enforcement arrived on the scene but determined that the event constituted a civil matter, with no criminal charges to be pursued.
The Arctic Blast ride is managed by Rethoffer Shows, the company in charge of operations during Aiken Fest, which featured a variety of attractions, games, and food. The ride had previously passed an inspection conducted by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) on April 3, 2025, and its inspection certification remains valid until December 31, 2025. No accidents had been reported for the Arctic Blast prior to this incident, according to LLR records.
While LLR spokespersons noted that reporting incidents is not mandated by law, they confirmed that an incident report was filed following the child’s fall. However, the ride operator failed to file an accident report within the required timeframe, as mandated for any incidents resulting in serious injury.
The Arctic Blast is a 60-seat attraction produced by Mack and was acquired in 1981. For safety reasons, a height requirement of 48 inches is enforced for riders. Despite the incident, attendees at Aiken Fest continued to enjoy the various rides and attractions available at the mini spring fair.
In a separate incident at the festival, a 54-year-old man was arrested after allegedly shooting another man in the foot. This altercation added to the tension surrounding the event, but it remains unclear if the two incidents are interconnected.
Aiken Fest is known for its family-friendly environment, featuring 21 rides, numerous games, and a wide array of food options for visitors. The festival enjoyed several days of activity before concluding on Sunday.
As authorities continue to assess the incident involving the Arctic Blast ride, both organizers and attendees are left reflecting on the importance of safety and adherence to regulations during local events.
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Additional Resources
- WISTV: 4-year-old tossed from Aiken carnival ride
- Wikipedia: Carnival ride safety
- WRDW: Accident at Aiken Fest stirs amusement ride safety concerns
- Google Search: Aiken Fest 2025
- Aiken Standard: Today’s events for May 1
- Google Scholar: Amusement ride safety regulations
- Aiken Standard: Upcoming events
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Amusement park
