Nashville, Tenn. — Fire crews successfully rescued 20 individuals, including 19 carnival riders and one employee, after they became stranded in mid-air due to a malfunction at a local carnival Wednesday night. The incident occurred in the downtown area of Erin at approximately 8:42 p.m. on March 12.
According to the City of Erin’s Fire Department, they were promptly alerted to the malfunction. Upon arriving at the scene, firefighters assessed the situation and quickly realized that their 75-foot aerial truck was insufficient to reach the riders, who were stranded about 65 feet above the ground.
In response, the Erin Fire Department requested assistance from the Montgomery County Fire Service. Firefighters from Montgomery County arrived with a 100-foot tower truck, which allowed them to successfully rescue all 20 individuals, including the riders and a carnival employee.
The rescue operation was completed without incident, and remarkably, no injuries were reported. Fire crews cleared the area shortly after midnight, bringing the tense situation to a safe conclusion.
The incident highlights the challenges that emergency responders sometimes face in addressing unusual or difficult rescue situations, and the collaboration between local fire departments proved vital in ensuring the safety of those stranded.
The City of Erin’s Fire Department and Montgomery County Fire Service were commended for their swift and effective response to the emergency.
