Ride collapses at Michigan amusement park

Scenes from the accident.

MUSKEGON, Michigan (CNN) -- An amusement park ride spun off its axle and collapsed Monday evening, injuring 26 people and stranding riders on the damaged attraction.

Kevin Blancherd, fire chief for the nearby town of White Lake, said the ride was carrying a full load of 36 people when the mechanical failure occurred shortly before 7 p.m.

Some riders were trapped in their cars aboard the ride, dubbed "Chaos" -- a rotating disc that tilts into the air while riders spin around in individual cars -- and emergency crews had to saw through the wreckage to get to them.

Rescue workers had to bring in a crane to stabilize the ride before plucking riders off the fallen attraction, Blancherd said.

"Something happened to the center pivot, and the ride then fell. I don't know how far it fell before it actually hit the ground," he said.

Parkgoers described a frightening scene as the attraction came apart. Derek Case, at the park for a family reunion, was on a nearby roller coaster watching the Chaos when the accident occurred.

"It was like a big smash, right down to the ground," he said.

VIDEO A ride at a Michigan amusement park falls over, injuring several riders and stranding others (July 30) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

"When the thing broke loose, it almost spun like a wheel," said Don Reaume, who was watching as the accident occurred.

All the injured were park visitors, Michigan Adventure spokeswoman Peggy Wobser said. Ambulances and helicopters took riders off to area hospitals as they were brought off the fallen ride.

Stuart Jones, a spokesman for Hackley Hospital, said they were expecting 16 people, most with minor injuries. He said five of the injuries were serious but not life-threatening.

Tim Bulson, a spokesman for Spectrum Health, said one or two of the most seriously injured people were to be airlifted to the Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, about 40 miles away.