By Heather Chapin
The Morning Journal
NORWALK, Ohio — Two people were severely injured Aug. 16 in Norwalk at the Tough Truck contest at the Huron County Fair after a vehicle malfunctioned and the driver lost control.
Multiple others also were injured during the incident, according to a news release from Townsend Township Fire Department acting Chief Jonathan White.
At 10 p.m., one of the participants in the contest experienced a vehicle malfunction and the vehicle crashed into the staging area, the release stated
The driver told officials he lost control of the truck’s brakes and steering, which caused the incident, said Bob Morgan, president of the fair for 32 years and board member for 38 years.
“There were multiple injuries, two of which were severe and they were transported to area trauma centers,” the release stated.
At least one medical helicopter was sent to pick up a victim, according to the release.
The pilot couldn’t find a suitable landing area at the fairgrounds and was forced to park at the Norwalk City School’s property, a short distance away, Morgan said.
A vendor who serves donuts following grandstand events told Morgan there’s always a lot of people who stop by the booth, but not on Aug. 16.
“It hurt everyone,” Moore said. “We’ve never experienced something like this before, and we hope we never do again.”
The Tough Truck contest has taken place at the fairgrounds without incident for several years, he said.
The people involved in the incident were from out of the area, as the contest draws participants from a vast area, Morgan said.
Morgan said he hadn’t heard any update on their conditions.
“They’re in our thoughts and in our prayers,” he said.
The Berlin Township and New London Fire departments assisted at the scene along with the Huron County Sheriff’s Office and North Central EMS.
The Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.
White thanked the safety service personnel for assisting at the scene in the release.
“We also would like to thank the Huron County Sheriff’s Office and the Huron County Fair Board for keeping us as safe as possible so we could do our jobs,” White wrote.
The week-long fair wrapped up for the year on Aug. 18.
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