Full Breakdown
Incident at New Roads Harvest Festival: Two Girls Injured on Ferris Wheel
11/3/2025, 2:01:24 AM
Overview of the Incident
On November 1, 2025, two girls under the age of 13 were hospitalized after being thrown from a Ferris wheel at the Harvest Festival in New Roads, Louisiana. The incident occurred around noon, prompting immediate emergency response and an investigation by the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal. One of the girls was airlifted to a hospital in Baton Rouge, while the conditions of both remain undisclosed.
Witness Accounts
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the girls were ejected from the ride. Madison Fields, who was present at the festival, reported that the Ferris wheel bucket tipped over, causing the girls to fall. “I heard like a body, just like something falling. I heard a loud boom,” Fields stated, adding that one girl fell face-first to the ground. Another witness, Eddie Jones, who was in line to ride the Ferris wheel, recounted seeing the aftermath, including blood on the girls. He expressed his shock, stating, “Yeah, I’ll probably never get on another Ferris wheel.”
Ronald Brasseaux, who had ridden the Ferris wheel the night before, noted that he felt unsafe during his ride, mentioning that the structure made cracking noises. He speculated that a malfunction might have caused the incident, saying, “It should not have stuck like that - they had a major malfunction. Someone didn’t do something right.”
Investigation and Safety Measures
Following the incident, Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff Rene Thibodeaux confirmed that all rides at the festival were closed for inspection until cleared by the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office. The Ferris wheel and an adjacent slide were specifically shut down as part of the investigation. The Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal is actively looking into the circumstances surrounding the accident, which has raised concerns about ride safety protocols at such events.
Context of the Harvest Festival
The Harvest Festival, which runs from October 30 to November 2, is an annual event held on Main Street in New Roads, featuring rides, live music, and food, aimed at supporting the local agriculture-based community. Despite the tragic incident, the festival continued as scheduled, although the affected rides remained closed.
Official Statements
Sheriff Rene Thibodeaux expressed his condolences, stating, “Our hearts go out to the families, and our prayers.” The Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal reiterated its commitment to ensuring safety at public attractions, emphasizing the need for thorough inspections.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While most reports agree on the basic facts of the incident, there are discrepancies regarding the number of girls involved in the ride at the time of the accident. Some witnesses mentioned three girls in the bucket, while others focused solely on the two who were injured. Additionally, specific details about the girls' conditions have not been released, leaving a gap in understanding the full impact of the incident.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I heard like a body, just like something falling. I heard a loud boom.” — Madison Fields, Witness
- “Yeah, I’ll probably never get on another Ferris wheel.” — Eddie Jones, Witness
- “It should not have stuck like that - they had a major malfunction. Someone didn’t do something right, that’s for sure,” — Eddie Jones, Witness
This incident highlights the importance of safety measures at amusement rides, especially during public events, and raises questions about the protocols in place to protect young riders.
