18-year-old man taken to hospital after falling off CNE ride

Recent events have raised concerns about the safety of amusement park rides, particularly those aimed at children. A recent incident at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) on August 29th has once again sparked the debate over ride safety.

The Polar Express

A scary scene at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) unfolded yesterday which has left patrons and observers in shock. An 18-year-old man who was riding the “Polar Express” is currently hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Mia Albanese, a resident of Mississauga, and her friend told the Toronto Star, she had opted for a spontaneous trip to the CNE that day. “The Polar Express” marked their second ride of the evening. Positioned behind the injured individual and his companion, Albanese and her friend experienced the ride’s backward motion, which lacks seatbelts. This design causes passengers to be pushed against the sides of the car due to the force of speed and momentum.

Albanese recounted her experience to the Toronto Star,, stating that while she didn’t feel unsafe, she sensed a lack of secure restraint. She characterized the ride as enjoyable, despite this observation. As the ride slowed down, Albanese noticed a passenger from another car disembarking hastily. Assuming he might not be enjoying the ride, she didn’t think much of it until her own car came to a halt directly in front of the injured man.

Albanese witnessed the injured man lying on the ground in a fetal position, seemingly unconscious. A fellow passenger who had jumped out earlier attempted to rouse him, but to no avail. Amid the tense atmosphere, the injured man’s friend called for an ambulance, while CNE staff stood in what appeared to be shock.

More individuals rushed to provide assistance as Albanese and her friend exited the ride. Another eyewitness, John Naumovich, detailed how the incident transpired. He recounted hearing a thud and then witnessing the ride come to a halt. A passenger on board immediately called for an ambulance.

Afterwards, the “Polar Express” ride was closed, and the entrance was cordoned off with fences. A sign indicated that the ride was temporarily closed for maintenance. Despite this, workers were seen later conducting tests on the ride, illuminating its interior and exterior with blinking lights and checking lap bar restraints. The ride even started operating again, albeit with empty seats, drawing a crowd of onlookers.

Amid this backdrop, the CNE emphasized safety as a top priority. The organization stated that the“Polar Express” ride would remain closed until the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) and third-party consultants could ensure its integrity.

The investigation has been handed over to the TSSA by Toronto police, given their jurisdiction over amusement ride safety in Ontario.

Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) investigation

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) administers provincial safety regulations and enhances public safety. TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, in addition to boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, and ski lifts.

TSSA’s Vice-President of Communications, Alexandra Campbell, confirmed that the ride would remain shut down during the investigation. The TSSA’s process involves technical inspections and interviews with the ride’s operator to determine the cause of the incident.

Despite the rarity of such incidents, the focus remains on ensuring ride safety for all patrons. As the CNE continues its tradition as Toronto’s end-of-summer fair, what happened serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous safety measures and thorough investigations in the amusement park industry.

Among the attractions at the CNE, the “Polar Express” holds a special place as one of the most popular rides since its debut in 1980. Tran Nguyen, the CNE spokesperson, sought to alleviate concerns, assuring patrons that the CNE is committed to their safety. Nguyen emphasized that the other 60 amusement rides are fully operational and safe for use.

To address the situation in a thorough and responsible manner, safety authorities, in collaboration with North American Midway Entertainment and the CNE, conducted inspections and collected information. This diligent process is part of the standard protocol followed in Ontario whenever there is a reported incident involving amusement rides.

Nguyen further stated that the ride in question, the “Polar Express,” would remain closed until the inspection is complete and all necessary assurances of its safety have been provided. This cautious approach underscores the priority placed on ensuring the well-being of visitors.

The incident of August 29th casts a shadow over the broader context of ride safety, particularly when it comes to rides designed for children. On August 22nd, a separate set of unfortunate incidents unfolded at the Canadian National Exhibition, involving two children. In unrelated events, a nine-year-old girl suffered a broken leg while riding a bumper car, while a three-year-old boy fell from a different ride, leading to his hospitalization due to a head bump. These events raise valid concerns about the safety and adequacy of measures in place to protect young riders.

The discussion around amusement park ride safety has reignited, prompting both authorities and patrons to evaluate whether these thrilling attractions are truly safe for children. As investigations continue and safety measures are reinforced, the well-being of all park visitors, especially the young ones, remains the paramount concern.

Tick Tock Footage Capture

City TV has managed to capture video footage of the aftermath and conducted interviews with witnesses regarding the incident. Eyewitnesses have suggested that the 18-year-old might have engaged in reckless behavior prior to being forcibly ejected from the ride. You can view the footage here: Link to Video.

Additional Coverage from Blog TO

Blog TO has also provided coverage of the incident, featuring content from a user on Tick Tock. Here’s the link to the coverage: Blog TO Article.

Enhanced Clarity Through Another Tick Tock Video

An additional Tick Tock video offers clearer visuals. You can watch the video here: CTV News Video.

August 31, 2023 UPDATE Polar Express given Green Light by TSAA

Following an occurrence on August 29 that led to an injury of the rider, the Polar Express ride situated at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) Midway has been granted the green light to recommence its operations.

Since the incident unfolded, TSSA inspectors have been present on-site daily, working in collaboration with the ride operator, North American Midway Entertainment, as well as the CNE. Their joint efforts included inspections and the gathering of information pertinent to the incident. This follows the established protocol for addressing any reported incidents involving amusement devices within the province of Ontario.

Prior to its initial operation, the ride had successfully fulfilled safety prerequisites and subsequent to TSSA’s inspection, it has once again been verified as meeting safety criteria.

Official statement from TSAA

Toronto, ON, August 31, 2023 – The Polar Express ride at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) Midway has been given permission to be returned to service following an incident that occurred on August 28 that resulted in a rider being injured. 

The ride remained shut down while TSSA conducted a thorough technical inspection of the ride. The inspection is complete and TSSA has confirmed that the Polar Express ride is safe to resume operation. 

The investigation into the root cause of the incident is ongoing. 

TSSA inspectors have been on-site daily since the incident occurred, with full cooperation from the ride operator, North American Midway Entertainment and the CNE as TSSA conducted inspections and gathered information relating to the incident. This is standard protocol following any reported incident related to amusement devices in the province of Ontario. 

The ride had met safety requirements before it was allowed to operate initially and was found to be safe after TSSA’s inspection. 

About TSSA

Throughout Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) administers provincial safety regulations and enhances public safety. TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services include public education, authorization, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, compliance support, enforcement, and prosecution activities.

by Myles Shane

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