Mechanical Failure Deemed Cause of Fatal Hayride Crash

The operator in a Mechanic Falls, Maine, hayride crash that killed a teenager and injured 22 others could not stop due to a mechanical failure, police said Sunday.

The operator in a Mechanic Falls, Maine, hayride crash that killed a teenager and injured 22 others could not stop due to a mechanical failure, police said Sunday.

Authorities say the Harvest Hills' Gauntlet Hayride, a small jeep pulling a flatbed trailer, missed a turn on a steep dirt road and jack-knifed. The jeep went off the road and the trailer hit a tree, sending riders tumbling to the ground.

The Saturday night crash claimed the life of 17-year-old Cassidy Charette of Oakland, Maine, according to the Maine Sate Fire Marshal's office.

They say that two others were seriously injured. The operator, 54-year-old David Brown of South Paris is being treated at Central Maine Medical Center. A 16-year-old, Connor Garland of Belgrade, was transported to Boston Children's Hospital and is in fair condition.

Authorities say all 23 people on board were injured. The Fire Marshal says injuries include broken legs, arms, shoulders, and backs.

Many of those injured were treated and released Sunday, but some remain hospitalized.

Accident reconstruction teams are investigating.

The Maine State Fire Marshal is required to inspect and license mechanical amusement rides in the state, but hayrides do not require such licensing.

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