Butte Civic Center ride shut down after 13-year-old gets hurt

UPDATE: June 9 at 12:42 p.m.

According to a statement released by Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff Ed Lester on behalf of the injured teen's family, the 13-year-old boy remains hospitalized and is in serious but stable condition following the carnival ride incident.

"While there has been much speculation about this situation, he is currently in serious but stable condition in an area hospital, and we cannot be more grateful of the care he has and continues to receive from all healthcare and first response professionals involved," the family said in the statement.

The boy was injured June 8 after falling from the YO-YO carnival ride at the Butte Civic Center. Authorities have said the circumstances surrounding the fall remain under investigation.

The ride remains closed pending an inspection and investigation as required under Montana law.

UPDATE: June 8 at 10:05 p.m.

The sheriff’s office said a 13-year-old boy suffered serious injuries after falling from the YO-YO carnival ride at the Butte Civic Center and that it’s unclear how he fell from the ride.

The ride is currently taped off with a Butte-Silver Bow police car parked beside it. Police also shut down the other rides at the carnival.

State law passed during the last Montana legislative session created regulations for operating amusement rides in Montana. Under that law, if someone is injured, the ride operator has to begin an investigation by a qualified inspector.

The ride is not allowed to reopen until it’s been inspected and found safe.

Rep. Ken Walsh of the Montana House of Representatives said the law was meant for cases like this.

"I think that's the, that's the important thing is to, you know, understand what the circumstances were, what happened and how do you prevent this from happening in the future. If there is a preventable method," Walsh said.

NonStop Local has reached out to the Butte Civic Center and Midway West Amusements for a statement and is waiting to hear back.

A 2021 press release said the Utah attorney general charged Midway West with human trafficking for withholding visa and passport documents. The release said the workers were in the United States legally but were being forced to work in inhumane conditions.

BUTTE, Mont. - A 13-year-old boy was injured in Butte on Sunday afternoon after falling from "a moving carnival ride," according to the Butte police and Sheriff Ed Lester. The incident occurred just after 3:00 p.m.

Police said the ride was immediately shut down pending investigation. The exact ride was not specified. Operation of all carnival rides were suspended at the location as well out of precaution.

Butte police said the child's condition is unknown.

ORIGINAL COVERAGE: June 8 at 7:55 a.m.