Carnival worker dies in Island County ride accident

LANGLEY — A 40-year-old carnival worker was killed at the Island County Fair today after he fell 40 feet from a circular roller-coaster ride.

County sheriff's spokeswoman Jan Smith said Doug McKay was spraying lubricant on the tracks of the "Super Loop 2" when his arm became caught in one of the roller-coaster cars and he was carried into the air. McKay ,who is from Post Falls, Idaho, fell and struck a fence which encircles the ride.

Smith said the accident was witnessed by fairgoers, including some who were on the ride. McKay and his wife co-own Paradise Amusements, the company which has provided the fair with carnival rides for the past three years.

Smith said local firefighters had set up grief counseling stations at the fair yesterday afternoon. She said the Super Loop 2 will remain closed for the remainder of the fair, which ends today.