Local News
Three people attempted to catch the man, but he still hit the ground “with considerable force,” a witness says.
A medical helicopter from UMass Lifeflight airlifted the man suffering a seizure and fall from a ride at Southwick Zoo. Mendon Fire Department
A man was airlifted by medflight after he experienced a seizure and fell from a ride at Southwick’s Zoo in Mendon, Massachusetts over the weekend, officials said.
The incident took place around 11:30 a.m. Saturday on the Skyfari Sky Ride, when a man suffered a seizure which ultimately caused him to fall, according to a statement from Southwick Zoo.
“Zoo staff and emergency responders reacted immediately, and all ride safety measures and emergency protocols were initiated without delay,” the statement reads.
No other guests or passengers on the Skyfari were in danger at the time of the incident, according to the zoo.
Aaron Bergeron, 27, a visitor from Rhode Island who was at the zoo with his girlfriend and roommate, told Boston.com he was near the armadillo exhibit when he noticed a man suspended from the ride, dangling approximately 20 to 25 feet above the ground.
Bergeron noted that the man, who was noticeably seizing, was accompanied on the ride by a young girl. While hanging, he was being supported only by his chin and torso.
In an effort to break his fall, Bergeron, his girlfriend, and a third person attempted to catch the man. Although they managed to provide some support, Bergeron said the man ultimately struck the ground “with some considerable force” while still in the midst of the seizure.
Following the impact, the man continued to experience convulsions. Bergeron described him as coughing, with his face appearing “a little bit blue.”
“His eyes were rolling in the back of his head,” he added.
The man was airlifted to a hospital in Worcester, the Mendon Fire Department said.
Information regarding the individual’s current condition is unavailable at this time due to privacy reasons, the zoo said.
In the meantime, the Skyfari Sky Ride will be out of service pending a safety review and inspection by state officials, according to the zoo.
“Although the ride did not malfunction at any time during the incident, state inspectors will evaluate the ride’s safety systems and operational protocols out of an abundance of caution,” the zoo’s statement reads.
Bergeron, who identified himself as an OSHA-certified chimney technician, described the incident as “completely avoidable” and emphasized the need for improved safety protocols.
The Skyfari ride currently uses only a lap bar, as shown in images of the attraction, lacking additional security such as seatbelts, straps, or over-the-shoulder restraints, Bergeron said.
To improve safety, Bergerson suggested the zoo install seatbelts and straps, complemented by a catwalk net positioned below the ride.
“There’s other things that they can do,” he said. “It’s not that hard.”
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