Wave Swinger Malfunction Injures Nine at Wilson County State Fair; Ride Ordered Shut Down
Nine people were injured on the Wave Swinger ride at the Wilson County-Tennessee State Fair in Lebanon, TN, when the ride malfunctioned and made contact with a fence. Four individuals were hospitalized, though no injuries were life-threatening. The state has…
Nashville, TN, August 20, 2026 —
LEBANON, TN – An incident involving the Wave Swinger ride at the Wilson County-Tennessee State Fair has resulted in injuries to nine individuals, according to officials. The malfunction occurred when the ride made contact with a fence.
Of the nine people injured, four were transported to local hospitals. Authorities stated that none of the injuries sustained were life-threatening.
Following the incident, the state has issued a cease-and-desist order for the Wave Swinger ride. Operation of the ride is prohibited until a new inspection report is submitted and approved. The specific cause of the malfunction has not been publicly disclosed.
This event at the Wilson County-Tennessee State Fair is not the first reported safety concern at the fair in recent years. In 2022, a separate incident involving a Reithoffer Shows ride was described as a ‘near-death experience’ by a witness. Details regarding the outcome of that previous incident were not immediately available.
Fair organizers and state safety officials are expected to conduct a thorough review of the incident to determine the next steps regarding the operation of amusement rides at the fair.
Story summarized from the original created by Chasity Maynard on www.wsmv.com, see more information here.
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