Tyler Jarrell was gearing up for his senior year of high school and in the process of joining the Marines when his life and aspirations were cut short.
The 18-year-old Columbus native died Wednesday night at the Ohio State Fair when the ride he was on partially disintegrated, sending him and others flying through the air.
Jarrell died at the scene. Seven others were injured.
In the aftermath of the incident, state investigators and the ride’s Dutch manufacturer were simultaneously working to find out what happened.
Records show that the amusement ride — called the Fireball — was inspected hours before it tore apart and that a state permit was issued for it on the day of the fatal malfunction, The Associated Press reported Thursday. The state’s chief inspector of amusement ride safety told the AP the ride was inspected three or four times before the fair opened Wednesday.
KMG, the manufacturer, said Thursday that fairs around the globe should cease operating the ride immediately.
Ohio State Patrol said in a press release Thursday that it was still looking for people who witnessed the incident.
“Tyler was one of those kids that was friends with everyone,” Logan Landefeld, a friend of Jarrell’s since middle school, told HuffPost. “He wouldn’t make fun or hurt anyone, he was helpful, nice, and a very respectful young man, and he’s gonna be missed.”
Brandon Caylor, a former night manager at the local McDonald’s where Jarrell worked, said the victim had been one of his top employees.
“He was very hardworking, diligent, funny, caring, and just an all around great person,” Caylor told HuffPost in an email. “He was always a pleasure to work with.”
Jarrell, who was entering his senior year at Franklin Heights High School, enlisted in the Marines last week. According to friends, he had just passed his physical. The local Marines office released a statement to HuffPost, calling Jarrell’s death a tragedy:
Our heartfelt condolences go out to [the] family of our Poolee and all of those affected by this loss. The Marines here are saddened by this tragedy. We are truly proud to have known this young American as one of the brave few willing to step up and serve our country in the United States Marine Corps.