Officials investigating death at Naperville's Ribfest

Naperville Police are investigating an apparent suicide that happened at Naperville's Ribfest celebration Thursday afternoon.

Ride operators and witnesses, including Paige Shipley of Naperville, said they saw someone dive under the moving Pharaoh's Fury, a boat-shaped ride.

Shipley said the man was struck three times as the ride swung back and forth before the operator was able to stop it. People on the ride said they heard a thumping sound.

The DuPage County coroner's office was called to the scene in Knoch Park near downtown, where the man was found about 3 p.m. unresponsive and not breathing, Naperville police Sgt. Bill Davis said.

Naperville Deputy Chief Brian Cunningham said the ride was functioning properly at the time.

"It was not a ride malfunction and it doesn't look like it was accidental," Cunningham said. "It's a sad situation."

Part of the carnival, located at the south end of the festival grounds south of Martin Avenue, was closed. But Don Emery, Ribfest marketing chairman, said nearly all of the carnival rides continued to operate and the area was "essentially open."

Cunningham said police are continuing to investigate.

Doug T. Graham contributed to this report