The ride at the Kern County Fair that partially collapsed Saturday is scheduled to reopen Tuesday.
While no one was hurt in the accident, Cal-OSHA is investigating. It's something that happens now because of the death of a teenager at the fair back in 1967.
What started as a fun trip to the fair 45 years ago ended in tragedy. Seventeen-year-old Kaye Lynn Melton was killed while riding "The Scrambler." Because of her death, there are now safety regulations in place to protect your family.
No one was hurt, but scenes like what happened Saturday bring back painful memories to Kaye Lynn's sister, Glenda Lee.
"Even though it was 45 years ago, it feels like yesterday. Because when you lose someone you love, you hurt," said Lee.
Before that accident, fair rides were not required to have any state or federal oversight.
"The fair is fun. The rides are fun. Apparently her door came open, the latch was faulty," said Lee.
"The Scrambler" spun around, creating centrifugal force, pushing riders to the outside of the spinning car. But, a little door was all that kept people from flying out. When the door opened mid-ride, Kaye Lynn was thrown from the car and died.
Immediately after the fatal accident, new safety laws were passed.
Kaye Lynn's sister now sees some light after the tragedy.
"Naturally I'm sad over my sister, but in a way it's almost like she was able to save some other lives in some ways. Because if those laws didn't go into effect, maybe that ride that she was on could still be running years later and someone else could have gotten hurt," Lee continues.
The company that now operates the rides at the Kern County Fair is not the same company that was running them in 1967.
As for Saturday's accident, Butler Amusements' management says they have one of the best safety records around. Cal-OSHA says there are no reports of previous problems with the "Spin Out" ride.
