A man died Thursday at Naperville’s annual Ribfest after deliberately diving under a moving carnival ride, authorities say.
Two festival-goers told NBC Chicago they saw the man throw himself under Pharaoh’s Fury, a large popular boat-shaped ride that was swings back and forth.
Naperville Police say the man was in his early 20s and had attended the festival by himself.
The ride was moving with approximately 25 people on board at the time. Witnesses said it looked as if he did it on purpose. The man was said to be struck while the boat swung back and forth multiple times before the operator could halt it.
Both witnesses said those in the area could see the man's body lying facedown after he was killed and the ride stopped, calling the scene "gruesome."
The incident happened less than three hours after the gates in Knoch Park opened at noon. Emergency crews and the DuPage County coroner's office were immediately called to the scene.
“I just saw everybody running over to the ride,” recalled festival attendee Rhonda Sandifer.
As of 6 p.m. a few rides were still closed, but the family event remained open.
U.S. & World
His death was an intentional act, according to police, and there was no foul play or ride malfunction reported.
