One person was killed and seven others were injured after a ride malfunctioned at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus on Wednesday, authorities said.
The incident, which occurred at around 7.24 pm, killed one person and injured seven others, three critically, the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Paul Pride said at a press conference late
on Wednesday.
"All of the folks that have been injured have been transported to local hospitals throughout the region," Pride said.
According to amateur video posted online, a row of seats appeared to snap off the Fireball carnival ride as it passed quickly, low to the ground, leading to fairgoers being thrown into the air. 
The deceased was an 18-year-old man, local broadcaster WCMH-TV said.
Kaylie Bellomy, who was next in line to ride the Fireball, told the broadcaster she watched it literally fall apart in front of her. 
"It was going for a minute and it was at its highest point and I saw somebody fall on the ride and then a minute later the whole like row of seats fell off and hit the ground," she was quoted as saying.
"Everybody was running. I got ran over trying to get out of the way," Bellomy said.
The rides at the fair are now shut down until further notice, following an order from Ohio Governor John Kasich, who also spoke at the press conference late on Wednesday.
"We will get to the bottom of this, we will investigate it, there will be complete transparency," he said. 
He also said records on the ride's inspection checks would be made available.
"Make no mistake about it: It is a very, very sad night for all of us," he added.
A short statement on the fair's official Twitter page expressed condolences for the victim's families. 
"Our hearts are heavy for the families of those involved in last night's tragic accident," organisers said, adding that the fair would open again on Thursday, but rides would initially remain shut. 
The incident occurred on the opening day of the fair, which is scheduled to run until August 6.
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