<p>The state has closed a ride at the Columbia County Merchants Association Fair as it investigates an Oct. 26 accident on a similar attraction at the Georgia-Carolina State Fair.</p><p>Thirteen-year-old Desire Northington is still in serious condition after she was thrown 60 feet from the Orbiter, suffering severe head injuries. She was in an induced coma until Sunday night.</p><p>The Georgia Department of Labor, which oversees safety inspections at state fairs and amusement parks, closed the Columbia County ride out of an "abundance of caution," spokesman Sam Hall said. State officials shut down the Icon _ a ride similar to the Orbiter _ on the fair opening day Thursday.</p><p>The Orbiter at the Georgia-South Carolina State Fair was shut down briefly last week and is again closed as the probe continues. The fair closes Sunday.</p><p>The only other Orbiter in Georgia is at Lake Winnepesaukah amusement park just south of Chattanooga, Tenn. The park has closed already for the season.</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x1cd9f54)</p>
