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| Manufacturer | Von Roll | ||||||||
| Product | Sky Ride | ||||||||
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Swiss Sky Ride was a Ropeway located at the State Fair of Texas grounds in Dallas, Texas, USA. It was a Sky Ride installation from Swiss firm Von Roll.
History
The ride was installed in 1964 by Paul Rogers. It was purchased new from Switzerland for $220,000 and an additional $230,000 was spent on transport and installation. In 1971, the ride grossed $114,400. In 1972, the directors of the State Fair purchased the ride for $300,000.[1]
Incident and removal
On October 21, 1979, the last day of the State Fair, a gondola became trapped after it passed over a supporting post while swaying in the wind. Three trailing gondolas caught up and crashed into the stationary gondola. This caused two gondolas to fall 85 feet, landing on stalls below. One person was killed, another paralysed, and several people were injured.[2][3] Swiss Sky Ride was closed for investigations, which were still underway when the faiground reopened in March 1980.[4]
In May 1983, the Swiss Sky Ride was released by investigators. A $245,000 settlement was divided among 36 people who had sued the fair, Von Roll, and the ride operator. Officials from Mexico City entered into negotiations to purchase the ride but these fell through. In August 1983 the manager of the fair said the ride would be dismantled at the end of the year regardless of whether it had been sold as it was in the way of future development.[3]
References
- ↑ "Swiss Sky Ride At Texas State Fair". The Morning Herald. 1972-01-21. p. 2. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ↑ "Fair flashback: In 1979, a deadly day for the State Fair of Texas". Dallas News. 2011-10-13. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Larrabee, By Aimee (1983-08-01). "So long, Sky Ride". D Magazine. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ↑ "Skyride in Dallas to remain closed". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. 1980-03-19. p. 52. Retrieved 2024-12-08.