Accident at the old town festival in Jever: 18-year-old falls from the ride

Accident at the old town festival in Jever: 18-year-old falls from the ride

This year's Old Town Festival in Jever took place from August 8th to 10th, 2025 and was largely peaceful. However, there were also downsides: The Wilhelmshaven/Friesland police reported some assault crimes, which, however, were quickly defused through early intervention by the officers. For the first time, unrelated weapons checks were carried out, during which a folding knife was confiscated. In general, the festival proved to be well attended, with the number of visitors increasing noticeably in the evening. But the horror of an accident clouded the atmosphere.

On Sunday afternoon, around 1:30 p.m., an 18-year-old woman fell from a ride and sustained serious injuries. Fortunately, there is no life-threatening condition and the injured person was immediately taken to hospital. The affected relatives are in contact with police and their condition was described as stable. Immediately after the incident, the trade inspectorate ordered the ride to be closed to ensure the safety of other visitors.

Investigations into the accident

The investigation into the cause of the falling ride is ongoing. While the building inspectorate had checked all systems in advance of the festival and no defects were found, it remains unclear whether a technical defect or human error was behind the accident. Witnesses to the incident were urged to contact the police in Jever to help clarify what happened. Presseportal.de also reports that the city of Jever confirmed that the rides had been properly accepted before the festival began.

Recently, the public has experienced an increased awareness of safety in amusement parks. Accidents increased in 2022, spurring discussion about the need for more intensive safety measures. A position paper from the TÜV Association emphasizes the importance of better training for staff and a higher density of inspections in order to prevent such incidents in the future. TÜV-Verband appeals to operators to adapt the existing systems in accordance with the current standards and to ensure that the operating and use regulations are strictly adhered to.

Although the incident affected the overall impression of the old town festival, the majority of visitors are left with positive memories. The peaceful coexistence and festive atmosphere were only disturbed by the tragedy of a single accident. The hope remains that the ongoing investigations will soon bring clarity and such incidents can be prevented in the future.