Worker Dies At Miami-Dade County Fair

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MIAMI (CBSMIAMI) -  An investigation is underway after a man died at the Miami-Dade County Fair on Wednesday.

Miami Dade Police are describing the death as "accidental."

The 23-year-old man killed works for North American Midway Entertainment, not the Miami-Dade Fair. He was reportedly working on a ride called the Hurricane.

"Prior to the 3 p.m. opening of the fair, what appears to be a workplace accident occurred involving a ride company employee during the daily maintenance and inspection," said Tony Diaz with  North American Midway Entertainment. "Our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to this individual's families and coworkers in a very difficult time."

Chopper4 was over the scene as a yellow tarp could be seen laid out towards the middle of the ride under the flooring.

The engines and cables of the midway rides are often housed under them. It was unclear if the worker moved those slats to get in there himself or if rescuers moved them to get to him.

Miami-Dade homicide detectives are not saying what killed the man. But they said he was just doing routine maintenance work to the ride as workers do before the fair opens each day.

Valeria Williams brought her niece to the fair right as it opened at 3 p.m. Wednesday, just 15 minutes after the death.

She said everything seemed normal with no signs a man had just died or that a police investigation was happening right on the fairgrounds.

"Usually I never get on rides," Valeria Williams said, her young niece standing next to her holding a stuffed bear she'd won. "I only get on them because she makes me. I know of a couple of instances where rides have gone wrong and I try not to get on any rides if I can."

Detective Capote told CBS4 Reporter Donna Rapado, "Where it occurred, is not in the path of any children or anybody and that area has been secluded where there's no one passing right directly in front of the ride."

Detectives worked late into Wednesday night. When they finished, they turned the investigation over to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The fair remains open for business as usual.