AUBURN - A reporter for the Sun Journal suffered a fractured back while rolling down a hill inside a car-sized inflatable ball during a media preview of the ride at Lost Valley ski area.

Rebekah Metzler and photographer Lincoln Benedict were strapped inside the plastic sphere known as "the Zorb" Thursday afternoon when it bounced off a hay-encased post and went airborne before landing hard a couple of seconds later.

Metzler drove back to the newspaper's office in Lewiston before being taken to Central Maine Medical, where she remained Friday.

Diane Moreau, co-owner of Lost Valley, said the course has been altered since the accident that happened on what she described as a "test run."

She says she believes the ride is safe, but its weekend debut was delayed because the state told Lost Valley it needs a permit similar to those issued for amusement park rides.