State says failed lap restraint, bolts led to ride fatality

An amusement park ride accident that threw a man to his death at a church fair in Shrewsbury last month occurred when the man's lap restraint failed, causing weight in his car to shift and snap two bolts, a report has determined.

The state Department of Public Safety, in its final report released yesterday about the Sept. 19 accident that threw Andrew R. Fohlin, 38, to his death and injured two others, also said that Jaro Amusements didn't keep maintenance records that could have pointed to problems with the bolts.

''This tragic accident was completely preventable and never should have happened," said Public Safety Commissioner Thomas Gatzunis.

The final report included new details about two bolts that that did not meet the manufacturer's specifications for the ride.

The report also found that Jaro Amusements, the owner and operator of the ride, has been unable to provide any maintenance records for it.

Manufacturer specifications indicate that the first nut that failed was supposed to be inspected daily. Without maintenance logs, the department has no way of knowing if the inspections occurred.

Jaro officials will be called to appear at a public safety hearing before year's end, and the company could have its license to operate in Massachusetts suspended or revoked, the department said.

Messages left for the company and spokesman Alan Ramsey were not immediately returned.