Teen Who Fell From Arizona Ride Lost his Grip

Witnesses say a teenager who fell from a Ferris wheel in suburban Phoenix, Ariz., lost his grip as he was climbing down the ride’s support arms.

El Mirage police are investigating how the 14-year-old boy fell about 20 feet to the ground Saturday night at the El Mirage Fall Festival.

It was the final day of the two-day carnival at Gateway Park.

The boy was airlifted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital with non-life threatening injuries and has been released.

Detectives discovered through interviews that after the teen boarded the ride, he was secured with a seatbelt and a pull-down safety bar.

Police say it does not appear that the Ferris wheel equipment malfunctioned, but their investigation continues.