Maine Lawmakers Eye Hayride Regulations After Deadly Crash

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A Maine lawmaker is pushing to mandate that hayrides be inspected after a Halloween-themed ride crashed last year, killing a 17-year-old girl and injuring more than 20 others.

Republican Rep. Robert Nutting of Oakland told the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Monday that someone who pays for a hayride should be able to expect that the ride has been inspected and judged to be safe.

He says he was asked to introduce legislation by a parent of the one of the young people who was injured in the accident in October at Harvest Hill Farms in Mechanic Falls.

Maine State Fire Marshall Joseph Thomas says his office oversees the inspection of other amusement rides but doesn't have the expertise to also inspect hayrides.