Family of 5 kids in Calif ride collapse gets $3.4M

ANGELS CAMP, Calif. (AP) — The family of five children injured in a Northern California carnival ride collapse reached a settlement of nearly $3.4 million with ride owners and the manufacturer, a newspaper reported Wednesday.

Robert and Deena Milligan settled with Brass Ring Amusements, Chance Rides Manufacturing and North American Amusements over the May 2008 accident, The Record of Stockton said.

Lawyers for the Milligans said one of the children suffered permanent brain damage and orthopedic injuries in the accident. Plaintiff lawyers will receive more than $1 million of the settlement, approved by a judge Tuesday.

The collapse of the Yo-Yo chair ride at the Calaveras County Fair injured a total of 21 children when the metal arms of the spinning ride collapsed, dragging riders across the ground before coming to a halt.

California regulators found last year that the ride was not properly maintained.

Organizers of the fair, best known for its Jumping Frog Jubilee, said the collapse was the first serious accident in its 80-year history of the event.