Employee Killed While Operating Spinning Ride

Bristol, CT -- A teenage employee of Lake Compounce Amusement Park was killed last Friday after falling under one of the park's spinning thrill rides.

The accident occurred at approximately 5 p.m. when Matthew Henne, 16, was about to unload "The Tornado" an indoor, themed "Scrambler" spinning ride. According to the park spokesman, Henne got caught underneath the attraction.

Henne died early Saturday morning at Hartford Hospital.

Park officials said that the Tornado would remain closed Saturday out of respect for the family. The state determined that the ride did not malfunction in this accident and gave the park permission to reopen the attraction.