![Tagada, Wiener Prater 1](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/Tagada%2C_Wiener_Prater_1.jpg)
A tagada is an
amusement ride
Amusement rides, sometimes called carnival rides, are mechanical devices or structures that move people especially kids to create fun and enjoyment.
Rides are often perceived by many as being scary or more dangerous than they actually are. This ...
made by various manufacturers. Riders sit in a round bowl with no seatbelts or restraints. There are bars behind the riders which they hold on to. The ride starts to spin, the music starts playing and pneumatic arms bounce the riders up and down.
The Tagada is operated by a human operator who will synchronize the bounces with the music beat. Most operators give time for riders to get to their seats again before making the ride bounce (this occurs if turbulence is too strong). Sometimes riders will be told the ride is over and the gates will not open and the operator will restart the ride making everyone fall over and then open the gates.
Tagada rides are often associated with injuries, including at Yarm Fair 2005 when Bradley Pennicott of the Kingsmead estate, Eaglescliffe, snapped his left arm whilst on the ride. It is suspected that Bradley was malnourished which contributed to the injury. Common also are ejections from the ride, such as 20 June 2011 in Newcastle, or during the 2008 British Grand Prix or October 2009, or most recently in 2016 in
Ayr, Scotland
Ayr (; sco, Ayr; gd, Inbhir Àir, "Mouth of the River Ayr") is a town situated on the southwest coast of Scotland. It is the administrative centre of the South Ayrshire council area and the historic county town of Ayrshire. With a population ...
where three riders got launched from the ride. Most injuries are broken bones of riders who fall into the middle of the ride. Many street fairs ban tagada rides due to their generally poor safety records and cleanliness. The rides are banned in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
and
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
due to these issues.
At least two deaths are documented, both in
Italy
Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...
where the ride is very common in traveling carnivals. The first happened in
Alezio
Alezio ( cms, Alytia; la, Aletium) is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Lecce in the Apulia region of south-east Italy.
History
Alezio (despite legend assigning its foundation to a king of Crete) was a centre of the Messapi, who would ca ...
,
Apulia
it, Pugliese
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in 2016, when a 15 year old boy struck his head while riding; the second in
Galliate
Galliate is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Novara in the Italian region Piedmont, located about northeast of Turin, about northwest Milan and about northeast of Novara.
Galliate borders the following municipalities: Cameri, Nova ...
,
Piedmont
it, Piemontese
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in 2022, claiming the life of a 15 year old girl who was thrown out of the ride and struck a tree stump.
References
{{Amusement rides
Amusement rides