Tragic Deaths on Hayrides Raise Safety Questions [Updated]

Updated October 15, 2024. The death of Alexander Mick, a 13-year-old from Rice, Minnesota, has once again underscored the poor safety record of hayrides nationwide. Alexander lost his life after being run over by a trolley wagon at the Harvest of Horror Haunted Hayride event in St. Augusta. The circumstances around this tragic hayride accident are under investigation by the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office.

Hayrides Are One of the Most Unsafe Amusement Rides a Child Can Take

Research by the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA) shows that from 2000 to 2019, hayrides resulted in 167 injuries and 22 fatalities, with 14 of those deaths being children. According to NAFDMA’s Essentials of Hayride Safety report, the organization’s safety consultants have “never visited an existing farm operation that was safely operating their hayrides.”

This alarming data highlights the significant risks associated with hayrides, a popular fall activity at pumpkin patches and apple orchards. While data from the CPSC shows that amusement park rides caused about 30 deaths during the same period, the risk per rider is much higher for hayrides because millions of people visit amusement parks each year, spreading the risk across a much larger population.  

Unlike amusement parks, which are subject to state safety regulations and frequent inspections, hayrides often operate with minimal oversight and inadequate safety measures. Many hay wagons lack essential safety features such as sturdy walls, safety chains, or proper barriers to prevent falls. Hayride operators need to implement proper safety protocols, such as thorough operator training, clear loading and unloading procedures, regular equipment inspections, installation of safety features, and adherence to weight limitations and seating capacities.

Hayrides Can be Operated Safely

While NAFDMA rarely sees hayrides being operated safely when they first visit, many resources are available to help farms run safe rides. Agritourism groups and departments of agriculture offer guidelines and checklists that, if followed, can lead to much safer rides for our kids. Kids can have a fun and safe ride with proper preparation, safe equipment, safe drivers, and (importantly!) safe loading, riding, and operating procedures.

In response to safety concerns around hayrides, the state of Pennsylvania has taken steps to improve hayride regulations. Pennsylvania now requires state registration, safety inspections, and equipment approval. These new regulations aim to enhance the safety of hayrides and reduce the risk of accidents, particularly for children.

Transportation and Child Safety Attorneys at Pritzker Hageman

When hayrides are not operated safely and tragedy happens families deserve answers, an independent investigation, and justice.  Our transportation and child safety attorneys know that while money from a lawsuit can pay medical bills and provide long-term assistance to someone seriously injured, it can’t bring a loved one back. In those cases, filing a lawsuit will provide justice and force changes, so that what happened to your family doesn’t keep happening again and again to others.

Individual state laws covering tourist activities on farms can be varied and complex. Our award-winning transportation attorneys have the experience to handle these types of cases.  Contact us today for a free consultation.

Hayride Accidents and Deaths In The News

12-Year-Old Boy Dies in Tragic Accident at Tennessee Halloween Hayride

A 12-year-old boy lost his life in a devastating hayride accident at the Haunted Hilltop Halloween event in Harrison, Tennessee on Friday, October 11, 2024. The accident occurred on Friday night when the child, who was part of a group attempting to scare hay riders, tried to jump onto a moving trailer. He reportedly slipped and fell under the wheels of the tractor, resulting in fatal injuries. The hayride accident is under investigation by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

Missouri Second-Grader Dies After Falling Off Halloween Hayride

Donovan Brashear, a second-grader from Lee’s Summit, MO, died from injuries he sustained while on a hayride during the Quail Meadows Homes Association’s annual Halloween celebration on October 30, 2021. Donovan fell off and was struck by the trailer being used for the hayride.  Donovan died in the hospital from the injuries he sustained. Like most hayrides across the country, hayrides in Missouri are not covered by the state laws that regulate the safety of other amusement rides.