TAYLOR, Mich. -- A carnival in Taylor will be without a popular children's ride called the Fireball this weekend after a worker was struck by the ride while people were on board.

Witnesses said the victim did not appear to be working the ride when he was hit.

"I was on the ride with a couple of my friends and I saw the guy was standing a little bit outside of the area and I then heard a big bang and saw that he had gotten smacked with the ride," said Jennifer Merrill, who witnessed the accident.

Witnesses said the man, who is in his mid-30s, was not responsive when he was rushed to Heritage Hospital. He was expected to be airlifted to University of Michigan Health System.

The ride will stay shut down while the state investigates.