One critical, 22 others injured:

http://m.sfgate.com/news/us/article/Injuries-reported-in-Pumpkin-Land-hayride-accident-5817308.php

Update: Sadly, the critically injured person, a 17 year old girl, has died:

http://m.sfgate.com/news/us/article/Injuries-reported-in-Pumpkin-Land-hayride-accident-5817308.php

(Thread title revised)

(The update also adds details about ride licensing in Maine and capitalizes Jeep).

More, including information about the victims and that the trailer was being pulled by a 35 year old Jeep, which experienced mechanical problems:

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/1-dead-hayride-accident

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVXGF9G_FgQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

This certainly is tragic.

I've just now read this article.

Mechanical failure is going to haunt the owner/driver of the Jeep for the rest of his life.

Always in these situations, one always wonders "What if?"

Hayrides Face Little To No Regulation:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/10/13/hayride-death/17184485/

I once went on a Haunted Hayride, with my five year old nephew. He had seen me create monsters, and do costumes, so we thought he was okay. When we went trick or treating with him, he was perfectly okay with the monster dads that would be dressed was Jason, Leatherface, etc.. He was raised on a farm, so he was used to chainsaws, and things like that. I learned how to start and drive a tractor with him teaching me.

On the hayride, he dived under the straw in the cart, and did not come out until the ride was finished. That was the last Haunted Hayride for me. I didn't like it because everything seemed a little ramshackle, they were using their own farm implements, and I know how a combine works. No one wants to fall off the back of the wagon with a combine behind you. I should have joined my nephew under the straw.

A. Pumpkin Land Reopens.

B. Update on the injured.

C. Daytime hayrides continue. See what the park says about how it is regulated. And see what the so-called regulator says:

http://www.wcsh6.com/story/news/local/2014/10/13/pumpkin-land-opens-for-business/17219377/

Wow.

Just wow.

Stunned I am.

Yup, make sure it looks safe..... Seems like my concerns have been addressed....

Power outage cancels memorial concert at site of fatal hayride accident:

 

http://www.pollstar.com/news_article.aspx?ID=819877

This .... Group... Is not the most mechanically inclined people, are they?