CNE ride deemed safe

Inspectors OK reopening of Polar Express after rider injured Monday night

The CNE reopened its Polar Express ride Thursday afternoon following an accident that seriously injured a teenager on Monday night.

Emergency responders said an 18-year-old man suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries on the ride at about 9:30 p.m. Monday, and was sent to a local trauma centre.

Following the incident, Toronto police turned the investigation over to the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), which inspects and issues permits for amusement rides in Ontario

“The ride remained shut down while TSSA conducted a thorough technical inspection of the ride. The inspection is complete TSSA has confirmed that the Polar Express ride is safe to resume operation,” the TSSA said in a emailed statement to media.

“The investigation into the root cause of the incident is ongoing,” it added.

Two witnesses who spoke to the Star said the rider appeared to be unconscious following his injury.

It’s still unclear how the 18year-old rider sustained his serious injuries, but witnesses saw him lying on the ground in the fetal position next to the ride.

The Polar Express ride reopened at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, the CNE said in an email.

First in line was Darrell Brown, CEO of the Ex, who was to join other guests at the fair for the first ride since Monday’s incident.

TSSA inspectors have been at the Polar Express site every day since the incident took place. The ride regulator said it had “full cooperation from the ride operator, North American Midway Entertainment and the CNE” as they gathered information and conducted inspections, which it says is standard procedure any time an amusement ride-related incident is reported.

“The ride had met safety requirements before it was allowed to operate initially and was found to be safe after TSSA’s inspection,” the agency concluded.

Mississauga resident Mia Albanese and her friend had made a last-minute decision to go the CNE on Monday. The Polar Express was their second ride of the night and they were seated behind the injured man and his friend. The ride travels backwards and there are no seatbelts, so the speed and momentum pushes passengers to the side of the car.

“I didn’t feel unsafe, but it kind of felt like you were maybe not the most buckled in when you’re on it,” Albanese told the Star. She said it was a fun ride.

As the ride slowed down, Albanese saw the passenger in front of their car jump out. She assumed he wasn’t enjoying the ride or got scared and wanted off.

“But right when we were slowing down, our cart stopped right in front of (a different man) who was taken to hospital,” Albanese said.

“The guy that jumped out came to his side and tried to shake him. He wasn’t responding so he’s freaking out,” Albanese said.

People came to the man’s aid and Albanese and her friend were able to exit the ride. “At first I maybe thought he was sick.”

“Everyone was just very tense and it was very quiet. We were just shocked and scared. We didn’t know what to do.”