New Roads, Louisiana – A day of fun at a local festival turned terrifying when two young girls were thrown from a Ferris wheel during the Harvest Festival on False River in New Roads on Saturday afternoon, according to authorities and witnesses.
Girls Thrown from Ferris Wheel in Shocking Accident
The frightening incident unfolded around noon when a revolving bucket on the Ferris wheel unexpectedly tipped over, sending the girls — both under 13 years old — tumbling out, according to witnesses and Pointe Coupée Parish Sheriff René Thibodeaux.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene as festivalgoers looked on in shock. One of the girls was airlifted to a hospital for emergency treatment, while the other was transported by ambulance to a nearby medical facility. Their conditions have not yet been released by officials.
Photographs from the scene showed one of the girls being rescued while still entangled in part of the ride’s structure, highlighting the gravity of the accident.
Witness Describes Terrifying Moment
Witness Madison Fields, who was nearby when the bucket tipped, described the horrifying moment the girls fell.
“It caught on to the wires, and then it tilted over, and the two girls fell out,” Fields told WRBZ.
“I heard like a body — just something falling — I heard a loud boom,” she said. “It was two girls, and one of the girls fell on her face, and she was really damaged.”
The experience left Fields deeply shaken.
“It was sad and upsetting, because what if that could have been me?” she said as per The Post.
Safety Concerns Raised
Fields also expressed concerns about the Ferris wheel’s safety, claiming the ride did not have seatbelts.
“I feel like it should be seatbelts on there, because it’s just a gate on there. Somebody can easily fall out. A child can easily just open the gate and then step out,” she said.
Many festival attendees echoed those concerns on social media, urging local authorities to reexamine ride safety standards for community events.
Authorities Investigating
Sheriff René Thibodeaux confirmed that emergency personnel and state officials are investigating what went wrong.
“Injuries are unknown right now, so our hearts go out to the families and our prayers,” Thibodeaux said.
The Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal has taken over the investigation to determine whether the incident resulted from mechanical failure, operator error, or a safety oversight.
Festival Partially Reopens after Inspection
Following the accident, officials temporarily shut down all carnival rides for inspection. By late Saturday afternoon, most attractions had been cleared to reopen, except for the Ferris wheel, which remains closed pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Harvest Festival on False River is a long-running community event celebrating local agriculture and small-town traditions, drawing families from across the region. This year’s festival ran from Friday through Sunday, offering live music, food, and rides — until the tragic accident brought festivities to a halt.
Call for Accountability
The incident has renewed calls for stricter amusement ride safety regulations across Louisiana. Advocates are urging fair organizers to enforce more robust inspection standards, especially for rides catering to children.
As of Sunday, investigators continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses to determine exactly how the accident occurred.
The Ferris wheel will remain closed until state officials complete their safety review.
What are your thoughts on this tragic incident? Should stricter safety laws be enforced for carnival rides in local festivals? Share your thoughts and prayers for the young victims in the comments below.
