ATWATER, OHIO — A Pro Street Semi competing in a truck pull event at the Portage County Randolph Fair grandstand broke away from its pulling sled just before 11 p.m. Thursday and crashed through the barrier at the end of the track, sending the driver to the hospital with minor injuries and prompting the cancellation of Friday night’s pulls so the barrier could be repaired.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:59 p.m. on August 27 during a CS Pulling Promotions Truck, Semi and Tractor Pulls event. Emergency personnel responded immediately. The driver was transported to a local hospital and the Randolph Volunteer Fire Department confirmed injuries were minor.
Fair operators said no spectators, fairgoers, volunteers, or event personnel were on the other side of the barrier at the time of the crash.
“We are extremely thankful that no spectators, fairgoers, volunteers, or event personnel were located on the other side of the barrier at the time of the incident,” the fair said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the driver and their family at this time.”
Friday night’s ERA Truck and Tractor Pulls were canceled to give crews time to repair the grandstand barrier ahead of the OSTPA-sanctioned tractor and truck pulls scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. Ticket refunds are available — credit card purchases will be refunded within five to seven business days, and cash ticket holders can bring their tickets to the fair office after 3 p.m. Friday through 5 p.m. Sunday.
The Portage County Randolph Fair continues through Sunday, August 30, with a Rough Truck Contest scheduled at the grandstand.
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