News: Young boy with heart condition dies at Michigan Fair

Posted at 8:45 PM EDT (0045 GMT)

Jul. 24th, 2006 -- An 8-year-old boy was killed Saturday night after riding the "Fireball" ride at the Ionia Free Fair in Ionia, Mich.

Blake Miller, from nearby Greenville, appeared to have died from a pre-existing heart condition, and was previously told by his doctor that "he didn't have to limit his activities."

The "Fireball" is a frisbee type flat ride and is one of the most popular rides at the Ionia Free Fair.  As a precaution, it was inspected by a state officer after the incident and was given permission to continue operating.  The boy's death marked the first fatality in the Free Fair's 90-year history.

The full story can be found from WZZM 13 and the Grand Rapids Press.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The story was originally reported to have occurred in Iona, Iowa. We regret this error, and have since corrected it.