WEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) — Police are investigating after, they said, a worker performing daily maintenance on a ride at the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition grounds was killed, Wednesday afternoon.
According to Miami-Dade Police, the incident that resulted in the worker’s death took place off Southwest 107th Avenue, just north of Coral Way, shortly before the fairgrounds were set to open to the public.
7Skyforce HD hovered above the scene as detectives took photographs and examined the ride, called the Hurricane. A yellow tarp, underneath the ride, presumably where its mechanical portions are located, marked where the worker lost his life.
"It’s just so totally unexpected," said Rob Hohenstein of the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition. "It was an accident. It was just a normal ride inspection."
According to a 2016 Youth Fair press release, the KMG Hurricane is a new ride being introduced this year.
Ana Zahralban, who stopped at the fair with her family shortly after it opened, sent 7News photos of the scene. The Hurricane remained closed off and surrounded by crime scene tape.
Officials said the victim was a subcontractor for North American Midway Entertainment (NAME), a company that brings carnival rides to cities across the country. Coworkers said the victim was fairly new to the job and appeared to be crushed by the ride. "The individual — how can I put this — just to young to die," Hohenstein said.
Speaking at a news conference held late Wednesday afternoon, NAME General Manager Tony Diaz said, "Prior to the 3 p.m. opening at the fair, what appears to be a workplace accident occurred involving a ride company employee during the daily maintenance and inspection."
Diaz said the victim, described as a 23-year-old man, was subcontracted to work at the fair. "This individual was not employed by the Miami-Dade County Fair. Our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to this individual’s family and co-workers in a very difficult time," he said.
On Thursday, Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition officials held a news conference where they declared they have worked with the subcontracting company for decades and claimed the ride is safe. "The ride company, North American Midway Entertainment, has a three-level inspection process," said Hohenstein.
Workers at the fair said that since the victim’s death, there has been a shift in mood. "Whether you knew him or not, it’s still like a family," said Pat Taylor, a co-worker of the victim.
Pictures on social media show a candle light memorial workers made for the victim. "It’s really kind of difficult to talk about in that sense because even though you don’t really know each other, you’ll walk by and have a sad look on your face and you might give him a pat on the back," Taylor said.
Police have not yet disclosed the identity of the victim. However, they believe the victim may not be a South Florida resident. They did say, at this point in the investigation, his death appears to be the result of some sort of mechanical malfunction.
Officials with the fair said, despite the incident, the rides are safe. "They are inspected absolutely every day, everything," said Taylor. "My grandchildren, and I have 11 of them, come out every year."
The fairgrounds are adjacent to Florida International University’s Modesto A. Maidique Campus in West Miami-Dade. The fair will remain open this season until Sunday.
Officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will also be investigating the incident. They declined to comment at this time.