Navsari Fair Ride Accident: 50-Foot Tower Ride Collapses, 5 Injured Including 2 Children, One Critical
Navsari: A major accident occurred late Sunday night at the Somnath Mahadev temple fair in Bilimora, Navsari district, when a 50-foot-high tower ride suddenly collapsed. Around 10 people were on the ride at the time, of which five sustained serious injuries, including two children. One of the injured, the ride operator, was later shifted to a private hospital in Surat in critical condition.
The incident took place around 11:45 PM, when the tower ride an adventure attraction moving up and down a steel pillar suddenly malfunctioned. The cable snapped, causing the ride to crash at high speed, creating chaos and panic among visitors.
Victims and Injuries
Among the injured are Jash Rajiv Tandel (14), Dirgh Hemant Tandel (14), Roshni Vikas Patel (30), and Disha Rakesh Patel (21), who are receiving treatment at a Bilimora hospital. The ride operator, Bakil, who suffered severe head and spinal injuries, was referred to a Surat hospital. Fire brigade and police officials rushed to the scene, rescued the victims, and shifted them to nearby hospitals for immediate treatment.
Safety Concerns Raised
The collapse of the ride has raised serious concerns regarding the safety standards and approval process of amusement rides at the fair. By law, such rides require permission from the District Collector’s entertainment department, along with strict compliance with state government SOPs. Questions are now being raised as to whether these safety checks were ignored or compromised. Bilimora police have started recording victim statements and are preparing to register a case of negligence.
Eyewitness Accounts
Malangbhai Koliya, an opposition municipal councillor, said:
“Since it was the last Monday of Shravan, thousands of devotees were present. We were stationed with the fire brigade for crowd management when we received information about the mishap. We immediately rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to hospitals. Prima facie, it seems a cable fault caused the accident. If negligence is found, strict action will be taken.”
Rajiv Tandel, father of one of the injured children, added:
“My son and his friends were enjoying the fair. Suddenly, while on the ride, it stopped midway, made a strange sound, and came crashing down. Luckily, the injuries are not life-threatening, but doctors advised rest for a few days. I believe it was an accident, though proper investigation is needed.”
The tragic incident has sparked public outrage, with many demanding accountability for the safety of rides at public fairs in Gujarat.
