Lucknow: A joy ride at the Sawan Mahotsav in Lucknow’s Indiranagar turned into a nightmare on Tuesday night after a bucket of a fast-moving Ferris wheel suddenly broke off and fell, injuring five people, including three siblings.
The incident triggered panic among visitors at the fair in Smileganj, with witnesses reporting screams and people rushing to safety. All five injured people were taken to the nearby Sushma Hospital for treatment.
Two teenage girls, aged 14 and 16, are reportedly in serious condition and remain under medical observation.
Ferris wheel bucket falls during ride
The incident occurred at around 7.30 pm on Tuesday when a 14-year-old girl from Vibhuti Khand visited the Sawan Mahotsav with her brother, sister and friends.
According to her brother, the group was on the amusement ride when a bucket from above suddenly broke away and fell. The falling part reportedly struck the 14-year-old girl directly on her face.
The impact caused serious injuries and bleeding, immediately alarming other people on the ride and visitors at the fair.
The accident led to chaos at the venue as people began shouting and scrambling to move away from the ride.
Ride allegedly continued after accident
The girl’s brother and sister, who was also injured, alleged that they immediately appealed to the ride operator to stop the machine after the accident.
However, they claimed that the operator did not stop the ride immediately. As the Ferris wheel continued moving, the broken component reportedly struck additional people, including the girl’s brother and a 16-year-old girl who was seated nearby.
The ride was eventually stopped after people at the venue raised an alarm and created a commotion.
By the time the machine came to a halt, five people had reportedly sustained injuries.
Two teenage girls remain hospitalised
The injured were rushed to Sushma Hospital, which is located directly opposite the fairground.
According to hospital CEO Arpit Singhal, the hospital’s emergency team was alerted soon after the accident and all five injured people were brought in for treatment.
Three of the injured were discharged after receiving first aid.
The 14-year-old and 16-year-old girls, however, remain under treatment. Doctors said one of the girls suffered multiple fractures. Further treatment will be decided after the remaining medical reports are assessed.
The condition of the two teenagers has raised concerns among their families, particularly following the sudden failure of the amusement ride.
Families raise questions over safety
The families of the injured have raised allegations regarding the operation and safety measures at the fair.
They alleged that the ride operator failed to stop the Ferris wheel immediately after the bucket broke off and caused injuries to people who were still on the ride.
The survivors’ families also claimed that the fair organiser was caught at the spot following the incident but later managed to escape.
These allegations have not been independently established, and police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The incident has nevertheless raised questions about safety checks and supervision of amusement rides operating at temporary fairs.
Police begin investigation
Police said the matter is under investigation. Authorities are expected to examine the amusement ride, determine how the bucket became detached and establish whether safety procedures were followed before the ride was allowed to operate.
The investigation may also look into the role of the ride operator and fair organisers, particularly in relation to the alleged delay in stopping the machine.
The accident has highlighted the potential risks associated with temporary amusement rides where large numbers of visitors gather.
Safety concerns at public fairs
Amusement rides are a major attraction at seasonal fairs and festivals, but mechanical failures can result in serious injuries within seconds. Regular inspection of equipment, proper maintenance and trained operators are therefore important for ensuring visitor safety.
In the Lucknow incident, the sudden detachment of a Ferris wheel bucket caused panic and left five people injured. The fact that two of the injured are teenagers and reportedly suffered serious injuries has added to concerns surrounding the incident.
As the police investigation continues, authorities will have to determine whether the ride had undergone the required safety checks and whether any negligence contributed to the accident.
For the injured families, the immediate priority remains the recovery of the two teenagers who continue to receive treatment. The findings of the investigation will determine further action in connection with the accident.