A 10-year-old boy is in critical condition after he fell from a carnival ride at the Taste of Summer Festival in Antioch, Illinois. The incident occurred on Sunday when the boy, identified as Huntley Daniels, was on a ride called The Moby Dick. Witnesses reported that he "appeared to have been thrown" from the ride. The Illinois Department of Labor and the Office of Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul are now investigating the incident.

Huntley was initially airlifted to a local hospital but was later flown to Comer Children's Hospital in Chicago due to the severity of his injuries. The boy has already undergone multiple surgeries to repair facial fractures and a significant leg injury. His family has been by his bedside since he arrived at Comer, with his grandmother Dawne Pohlman describing their state as one of shock. Pohlman stated, "He did just get out of surgery and he is now stable. But he does have a long road to recovery."

The family of the injured boy has expressed concerns about the safety of the Moby Dick ride. Ronald Hip??lito, the boy's father, stated that his wife had to stop the ride earlier in the week because their youngest son felt unsecured inside the roller coaster and feared he would fly out. Huntley's fall comes just two weeks after another incident at a theme park in Charlotte, North Carolina, where a crack in a support pillar was noticed by a patron. The ride, called the Fury 325, has since been closed for repairs.

Amusement industry consultant Brian Avery has called for closer examinations of amusement park rides, stating that there is a need to take a harder look at the training and identify any gaps that may contribute to incidents like these.

Authorities in Antioch have labeled the incident as potentially leading to criminal charges. The police and fire departments, along with the Illinois Department of Labor, are leading the investigation. Antioch Mayor Scott Gartner ordered the closure of all rides at the carnival following the incident to ensure the safety of the community.

The Moby Dick ride, operated by All Around Amusement of Lockport, Illinois, had been inspected this year and issued a permit to operate. An initial inspection has already taken place, and a more thorough examination will be conducted before the ride can resume operations. Investigators will determine if the incident was caused by mechanical failure, operator error, or a combination of the two. The Antioch Police Department will also conduct a separate investigation to determine if any criminally reckless or negligent acts contributed to the incident.

This incident adds to a series of mishaps at amusement parks, festivals, and carnivals worldwide in recent months. The need for increased safety measures and more rigorous inspections is becoming evident in light of these incidents.