Two girls were injured after falling off a Ferris wheel at an annual festival in Louisiana and rushed to hospitals, according to reports.

The victims, both identified as under the age of 13, were ejected from the ride on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Harvest Festival in New Roads, which is about 37 miles north of Baton Rouge, WBRZ and WAFB reported.

Witnesses told WBRZ that the seating on the ride tilted, making the girls fall. The incident occurred around noon local time.

"I heard like a body, just like something falling, I heard a loud boom," Madison Fields, one of the witnesses, told the outlet. "It was two girls, and one of the girls fell on her face, and she was really damaged."

Officials investigating incident

According to WBRZ and WAFB, the girls were both hospitalized. One of them was transported via airlift to a medical facility in Baton Rouge.

"Injuries are unknown right now, so our hearts go out to the families and our prayers," Pointe Coupee Sheriff Rene' Thibodeaux told local news outlets.

USA TODAY reached out to the sheriff's office on Monday, Nov. 3, for an update on the victims' condition.

The Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal confirmed that it is investigating the incident. According to WBRZ, a third girl was also on the ride, but she was rescued.

What is the Harvest Festival?

The Harvest Festival is an event that "is dedicated to supporting the local agriculture-based community," according to its website. It ran from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.

WBRZ reported that the festival reopened after the rides were inspected. The Ferris wheel remained closed.

Some attendees raised safety concerns about the Ferris wheel, citing the lack of seat belts on the ride, in interviews with local news outlets.

Ronald Brasseaux told WAFB that the ride was "crackling" when he rode it the day before with his group: "They need to take this down,” he said.

USA TODAY also reached out to the Harvest Festival for comment.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2 girls injured after falling off Ferris wheel at Louisiana festival, reports say

Reporting by Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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