State Fire Marshal’s Report Released On State Fair Tragedy, How It Happened & Who’s To Blame
The State Fire Marshal blames operator error for an accident that injured a four-year-old boy last week at the State Fair of Louisiana. Butch Browning held a news conference in Shreveport earlier today to release details of his office's investigation into the accident.
Browning tells 710 KEEL News the kiddie ride is equipped with two safety features. One is a key that prevents the ride from starting. That key was not engaged and another child pushed the button, starting the ride as other youngsters were disembarking. Four-year-old Sheldon "SJ" Lewis was leaving the ride when it started moving, apparently causing him to fall and become trapped between a car and the ride's metal deck.
Lewis remains in critical condition at LSU Hospital in Shreveport.