Girl, 11, loses part of scalp after hair caught in carnival ride

An 11-year-old girl has undergone surgery after her hair became caught in a carnival ride and part of her scalp was ripped off. Elizabeth Gilreath was on the King’s Crown rider at a Cinco de Mayo festival in Omaha, Nebraska, when her hair became tangled in the mechanism. The little girl, who was on the ride with a friend, fell out of her seat when her hair got trapped, her mother told the newspaper. She has since undergone a number of surgeries to repair her scalp and emergency surgery after suffering a blood clot.

She’s an 11-year-old. No 11-year-old should have to go through this.

Mother, Virginia Cooksey

Her mother, Virginia Cooksey, told the Omaha World-Herald newspaper she did not suffer any fractures or brain trauma, but could have vision problems or need more surgery. The carnival vendor, Thomas D Thomas Shows, said in a statement: “We value the safety and health of our guests above all else, and we are saddened by this accident." An investigation is under way into the cause of the accident. Omaha Police Lieutenant Steve Cerveny told KETV that officials were trying to determine whether there had been a malfunction.

The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Thomas D Thomas Shows are with the young girl and her family during this extremely difficult time.

A statement by the ride operator

carnival ride hair