13-year-olds charged after intentionally making fair ride swing out of control, deputies say

GROVETOWN, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT/Gray News) — Two 13-year-olds have been charged after deputies said the teens intentionally caused a swing ride at a county fair to go out of control.

A Columbia County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said the teens had been warned not to grab each other while the ride was in motion.

Video shows the swing ride appearing to become unstable as it slowed.

The video, captured by Kristen Murphy, a mother whose children were on the ride, shows two riders in separate swings appearing to hold on to each other.

A woman was injured when several swings collided, and she left the fairgrounds in an ambulance. Two children were treated for minor injuries.

Murphy said she wanted to get to her children as the ride was in motion.

“This ride has to stop,” Murphy said. “My kids are on it. Something’s happening. I need to get to them.”

Murphy said other parents rushed to the control panel to help her husband slow the ride. She said she noticed injuries after the ride stopped and she reached her children.

The 13-year-olds received paperwork describing their charges and were allowed to leave with their parents, according to the sheriff’s office.