CHAMBLEE, Ga. -- A carnival worker was taken to the hospital after falling more than 40 feet from a ride.

DeKalb County Fire Department officials said the employee of the Gold Medal Shows at Plaza Fiesta on Buford Highway was trying to secure the Roll-o-Plane's two passengers Sunday when he noticed the ride's door was not properly closed.

Officials said the worker was trying to secure the door when the ride -- a single, long, rotating arm with a passenger cabin at each end -- suddenly started moving.

The man grabbed onto the door, still holding on, as the ride spun around and lifted him into the air. He soon lost his grip and fell to the ground. Fire Department spokesman Eric Jackson said the man’s injuries were serious.

"It's very bad. I'm very upset," said ride owner Pat Guthrie.

The man's name was not released.

The ride was shut down, stranding the two teenage passengers in the air for about 20 minutes until rescue personnel arrived and got them down safely. Gregory Ray, 14, and his brother, Jeremiah, 13, were not hurt. "I was screaming because the door was still open and my kids were still up there and the ride was still moving," said Ayanna Ray, the boys' mother.

Plaza Fiesta is a Hispanic-themed shopping mall on Buford Highway.