I went to Smokey Mountain Amusements at the Galleria Mall in Rock Hill, SC last night with my daughter. I got on the rides with her because she had no one else to ride with (and I ended up throwing up in a trash can, I might add.) We went on the Tempest--her first time, I hadn't been on one for over 20 years.)
The op put us and a little girl of about 10 in the same round bucket. My daughter and I sat on one side of the door and the little girl on the other side. They have installed belts across the seat sections that are supposed to ensure that you stay in your seat while the ride is running.
The ride had just gotten up to speed when the belt across the little girl across from us opened up. She flew out of her seat and landed on the floor in front of the door. The bucket was rotating unpredictably, and she started sliding around in different directions. I couldn't reach her, being strapped in and all, so I looked around to see if I could get the op's attention. I was already feeling dizzy, but turning my head sent such a rush of nausea over me I thought I would puke right then and there.
I couldn't tell if we were passing the platform or on the other end. I was totally disoriented. I looked back at the girl, and she had managed to grab a seat leg and was hoisting herself up into the seat. She grabbed onto the arm of the seat section, wrapped both her arms around it, and hung on.
I looked around again, my stomach churning, and happened to see the platform go by. I tried to wave at the op, but he was staring off down the midway, not even paying attention to the ride! I waited until we got around again, and he was still staring off. He had a boom box setting at the operator's podium, and I couldn't shout over the music and the rest of the carnival noise.
The little girl seemed to have settled in, so I concentrated on hanging on and not throwing up and messing up the guy's ride. When he stopped us, I was so sick and dizzy I didn't try any conversation--I just went to firm ground and tried to get my stomach to settle.
I tell you, the whole experience scared me to death. [:0] I guess I should have gone back and told the ride op or someone, but I was really sick. Also my daughter was begging for more rides. I foolishly went on the Wisdow Tornado with her, and that's when I threw up. [xx(]