13 children hurt when carnival ride loses power in Connecticut

Thirteen children were hurt at a Connecticut carnival Sunday when a swing ride lost power, sending the youngsters to the ground, police said.

“I heard two large clanks and saw the swings crashing into the center of the ride,” John Kydes told a local newspaper, The Hour.

Most injuries were minor, but two children were more seriously hurt, according to a statement from the Norwalk Police Department. Those with serious injuries were transported to hospitals in nearby Norwalk, Stamford and Bridgeport, police said.

The incident occurred at the Kids Cove area of the Norwalk Oyster Festival, a three-day event that draws more than 50,000 people.

Festival officials ordered concessions operator Stewart Amusement to shut down all rides until state officials completed an inspection, according to the Norwalk Seaport Assn., which organizes the annual event.

Shortly before 5 p.m. Eastern time, state officials authorized Stewart Amusement to reopen the other rides for the rest of the day, the festival’s final day, according to organizers.

Calls and emails to Stewart Amusement were not immediately returned. Stewart Amusement’s website touts the company’s safety standards and says rides are inspected daily by employees and weekly by state and local authorities.

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Twitter: @MattHjourno

matt.hamilton@latimes.com