A police inspector was killed and at least 13 others injured when a high-speed pendulum swing ride collapsed at the 39th Surajkund International Self-Reliance Crafts Festival. Faridabad Saturday evening. The incident, however, was not an isolated one, as another accident occurred on the same night at the fairgrounds.
Police personnel at the scene after a swing collapsed at the Surajkund fair in Faridabad, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. One police officer was killed and 13 others were injured. (PTI)The swing accident happened an hour after gate number 2 of the fair ground collapsed, injuring a visitor. HT learned.
According to a PTI report, the injured visitor has been identified as Sumit Malhotra, a resident of Sector 28. A child was also injured in the incident and both were taken to BK Hospital for treatment, police said.
The swinging accident happened around 6.15 pm when 26 people were on the bike.
The deceased has been identified as Inspector Jagdish Prasad (59), who was the police stationed at the fair. Two women constables and 12 others were injured in the incident.
‘Inspector’s death while saving people’Inspector Jagdish Prasad, posted to Palwal police line and on fair duty, was in-charge of security at the swing complex, senior officials said. A resident of Mathura, he was scheduled to retire in March.
According to the police, the swing was moving up and down at high speed, when one end suddenly collapsed, leaving it hanging 2-3 feet above the ground. Inspector Prasad joins the rescue as shopkeepers and police personnel come forward to help.
“Many people were thrown from the swing and bystanders supported the fallen part and helped rescue the people. Suddenly, the swing collapsed from the other end as well and completely fell to the ground,” said a senior officer.
Many people are trapped below. “The officer tried to save the people and showed great bravery, but in the process he sustained severe injuries on his face and head, which resulted in his death,” the official added, PTI reported.
A witness said police officers and members of the public rushed towards the ride without regard for their own safety. “The prompt action of the police helped save several lives,” he said.
Police said Inspector Prasad joined the Haryana Armed Police in 1989 and served for 36 years. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son, unmarried and students.
Officials rushed to the spot, ordered an investigationDeputy Commissioner Ayush Sinha and Tourism MD Partha Gupta reached the spot after receiving the news. Rescue operations were immediately started and the injured were treated.
Among the injured are ASI Neelam, Sunil of Mahendragarh, Harsh Prakash of Greater Noida, Prashant of Dholpur in Rajasthan, Anisha of Faridabad and Shivani and Parwinder of Noida Sector-78. A stall operator named Raghav was also injured when a swing grill hit him on the shoulder during the rescue.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini expressed grief over the incident. In a post on X, he said he was deeply saddened by the Surajkund Mela tragedy and offered his condolences to the bereaved family. He said, instructions have been issued to ensure proper and immediate treatment of the injured.
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“The Haryana government is working with utmost urgency and sensitivity to provide all possible assistance to the injured and their families,” he said.
