Lawmakers Eye Hayride Regulations After Fatal Crash

A Republican Maine lawmaker is pushing to mandate that hayrides be inspected after a 17-year-old girl was killed and more than 20 others were injured when a Halloween-themed ride crashed last year.

A Republican Maine lawmaker is pushing to mandate that hayrides be inspected after a 17-year-old girl was killed and more than 20 others were injured when a Halloween-themed ride crashed last year.

Rep. Robert Nutting of Oakland told the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Monday that someone who pays for a hayride should be able to expect that the ride has been inspected and judged to be safe.

He said he was asked to introduce legislation by a parent of the one of the young people who was injured in the accident in October at Harvest Hill Farms in Mechanic Falls.

Maine State Fire Marshall Joseph Thomas said his office, which oversees the inspection other amusement rides, doesn't have the expertise to also inspect hayrides.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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