(CNN) A chaotic scene unfolded at the Ohio State Fair after a ride malfunctioned during opening day -- killing one person and injuring several others.

A video posted online appears to show several people on the Fire Ball ride seconds before parts of the structure, including a full row of seats, split up and fell.

Tragedy struck around 7:20 pm (local time) Wednesday at the popular fair in Columbus. The Fire Ball, which consists of at least six rows of seats that spin around 40 feet above the ground as the entire structure moves like a pendulum, broke apart while it was in motion.

Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Paul A. Pride said one person was killed and seven others were injured, two of whom are in critical condition.

'It's my worst nightmare'

Rhonda Burgess said one of her sons was standing in line at a nearby ride when the incident took place.

"The ride had four riders per cart. This piece snapped off and the riders came out of the cart," she said. "At least two (people) flew through the air at least 20 feet before landing on their backs on the concrete."

The Fire Ball amusement ride after it malfunctioned Wednesday at the Ohio State Fair.

Within seconds, Kaylie Bellomy found herself in the middle of a crowd. She had been waiting her turn to get on the Fire Ball when she watched the turmoil erupt.

"Everybody was running. I got ran over trying to get out of the way," she told CNN affiliate WCMH . "I just don't think I'll ever ride a ride ever again."

Deputies asked attendees standing near the ride to step back as someone screamed "it's my worst nightmare," video footage shows. Workers were also seen placing barriers as medics and staff tend to those injured.

Three patients were taken to Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Eileen Scahill said.

As of Thursday, one was in serious condition and the two others were in critical condition, the hospital said in a statement.

David Evans, the center's medical director, said it was helpful to see video of the incident that was posted to social media because it helped them look for certain types of injuries.

"Having that video really showed us that this was a great force and a great mechanism, really consistent with a high-speed motor vehicle crash with an ejection, really something more along those lines," he said.

The other four people injured were taken to Ohio Health Grant Medical Center. CNN has reached out to that facility for an update on their conditions.

The Fire Ball

For days, inspectors had overseen the assembly and then inspected around 70 rides ahead of opening day.

"My children, my grandchildren ride this equipment so our guys do not rush through this stuff," said Michael Vartorella, chief ride inspector of the Amusement Ride Safety Division.

Four rides failed an inspection on Monday, but there were no red flags when inspectors examined the Fire Ball.

The "aggressive thrill" has become one of the most popular thrill rides since its debut in 2002, Amusements of America , the rides' operator says on its website.

"It was inspected at a couple of different stages and it was signed off today," he told reporters.

Gov. John Kasich quickly ordered a full investigation into the incident and ordered all fair rides to shut down.

JUST WATCHED Kasich: We will get to the bottom of this Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Kasich: We will get to the bottom of this 01:00

"The fair is about the best things in life and tonight with this accident it becomes a terrible, terrible tragedy," Kasich said in a news conference.

The Ohio State Fair draws thousands of people for its deep-fried foods, thrill rides and its unique life-size butter cow sculptures. Last year, more than 920,000 people attended the fair, organizers said.

Most activities will resume Thursday while the rides undergo new inspections, fair officials said.

"Our hearts are heavy for the families of those involved in last night's tragic accident. We have shut down all rides until the state has inspected each and every ride again and deemed them to be safe," they said in a statement.

The Columbus Dispatch reported the inspections were delayed by recent rain. It was the first day of the fair.

A similar ride in California was closed when authorities ordered a second inspection, Orange County fair officials told CNN affiliate KABC

No problems had been reported but officials said they made the decision out of precaution.</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>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>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.</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>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>(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) — 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>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.”
At least one person is killed and several others injured after a ride at the Ohio State Fair malfunctions while operating.