Scary trick turns deadly

2006-10-29 17:19

South Coffeyville, Oklahoma - A man died after his head slammed into the side of a trailer as he bungee jumped out of a tree to frighten passengers on a Halloween-themed hay ride, authorities said.

Several hundred people were attending the Trail of Spooks Hay Rack Ride on Saturday night when Frank Kester was fatally injured.

"The cable that kept him suspended snapped," said Kassie Johnson, who was on the ride when the accident occurred. "At first I thought it was just a dummy falling out of the tree. The trailer bumped up in the air when he hit. Then everyone started screaming."

The Nowata County Sheriff's Department said Kester was taken to the Coffeyville Regional Medical Centre in Kansas, where he was pronounced dead.

Kester, who was wearing a body harness, also hit a passenger's foot as he fell. The passenger was not seriously hurt and was treated at the scene.

Undersheriff Doug Sonenberg said the investigation was not complete.

"But right now it looks like a tragic accident," he said.

The 2.4km long trail, which was open on Friday and Saturday, raises money for the community's volunteer fire department. Kester was among more than 100 volunteers who participated.

- AP