A tragic incident at a carnival ride in Montana resulted in the death of a 13-year-old boy. A lawsuit claims carnival workers did not adhere to safety protocols, operating a ride with missing seats and restraints. The estate of Clayton Phillips argues that Midway West Amusements knew some chairs lacked critical safety components like pelvic belts and connectors.
Instead of fixing these issues, the company reportedly depended on employees’ memories and verbal instructions to keep certain chairs empty. According to the suit, improperly trained staff placed Phillips in an unsafe seat, leading to his tragic fall from the Yo Yo ride in Butte.
“C.J.P. was thrown, ejected, and/or fell from the moving Yo-Yo … fell from a substantial height and violently struck the ground and/or surrounding surface,” the lawsuit states.
The ride is designed to swing outward and elevate passengers with increasing rotational speed. Phillips was ejected from his seat and succumbed to his injuries two weeks later.
The family has named multiple defendants, including the government of Butte-Silver Bow, Midway West Amusements, and Shady Acres Safety Services, among others. The lawsuit also includes 20 anonymous individuals involved in maintenance and operation roles.
Midway West representative Michelle Jensen reportedly admitted to the ride’s defects during a law enforcement interview post-crash. Phillips’ family seeks various damages, from compensatory to medical expenses, emphasizing the profound impact of the incident.