Marines and police officers joined the family and friends of a teenager who was killed on an amusement ride at the Ohio State Fair last week.
Tyler Jarrell, 18, had just signed up to become a U.S. Marine on the week before his death. Jarrell, who had passed a physical for the Marines, was scheduled for basic training next summer.
“The Marines are greatly saddened by this tragedy,” Marine Corps Public Affairs Chief Sgt. Caitlin Brink told WCPO in a statement.
“We are truly proud to have known him as one of the brave few willing to step up and serve his country in the U.S. Marine Corps.”
The crowd gathered at the Grove City United Methodist Church, 10 miles south of Columbus, Fox News reported. The funeral procession passed by a McDonalds branch where Jarell worked.
Members of the Ohio state senate and house met on the fair grounds on the day of the funeral. They started the meeting with a prayer for Jarrell and the seven other people injured in the accident, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported.
Jarell’s girlfriend, Keziah Lewis, was among the injured.
Ohio state released to the public the contract it holds with Amusements of America, which owns and operates the rides at the fair, United Press International reported. The agreement shows that Amusements of America was obliged to pay for an independent ride inspector and provide insurance of at least $10 million to cover any ride-related deaths or injuries.
Jarrells’s death was caused by blunt force trauma, including injuries to his head, torso and legs, an Ohio coroner declared. Jarrell’s family plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
The fatal ride malfunction happened on the opening day of the fair. A video of the incident shows a portion of the Fire Ball ride ripping of, slamming into a barricade, and launching several riders into the air.
The Ohio state governor shut down all the rides at the fair after the accident on July 26. The fair reopened its doors on the day after the accident for scheduled events. Some of the rides were reopened on Friday with more resuming operation on Sunday.
