Carnival rides at the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo were deemed safe after a second safety inspection was conducted earlier this week. 

Public speculation around the safety of fair rides rose across Montana when a 13-year-old boy sustained fatal injuries earlier this summer after he was thrown from a carnival ride in Butte. Flathead County Fairgrounds Manager Sam Nunnally said the tragic accident prompted additional inspections of fair rides at the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo ahead of opening day on Aug. 12.  

The county hired an independent certified inspector from New York through the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials to perform a full ride inspection at the county fairgrounds.  

“We wanted to do an above-and-beyond ride inspection,” Nunnally said.  

An examination performed on Aug. 11-12 found a couple of minor issues that were addressed immediately, he said. Staff replaced a bolt in the Superman ride that holds the platform where passengers lie and adjusted the braking mechanism in a couple seats on the Tilt-a-Whirl. 

County spokesperson Tanath Bradley said the amusement company contracted by the fairgrounds department in Flathead County is not the same operator of the Yo-Yo ride that resulted in the fatal accident in Butte.  

Dreamland Carnival Co., based out of Billings, has operated carnival rides at Flathead County Fairgrounds for at least a decade, Nunnally said. Every year, fairgrounds staff physically inspect carnival rides during practice tests run by the company’s certified operator.  

“Our priority remains the safety of our community and every individual who attends, works at, or participates in the Northwest Montana Fair,” the Fairgrounds Department staff said in a statement. 

Fair events and carnival continue through Sunday, Aug. 16.  

Report for America Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 406-758-4439 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.