Visitors to a funfair were left stranded nearly 120ft off the ground after a ride hit technical difficulties. People riding on Speed Buzz found themselves stuck in the air when the mechanism failed.
The ride, which seats eight people and has a height of just over 118ft, rotates at a fast pace and is currently operating at The Hoppings in Newcastle. It features a car for four people at each end of the ride which spin as Speed Buzz rotates.
The Hoppings was back at Newcastle's Town Moor on Friday (June 17) for the first time in three years, ChronicleLive reports. However, within three hours of opening, Speed Buzz hit difficulties which technicians were left scrambling to fix.
Those who were on the ride said they were left tilted in their seats as staff worked to resolve the issue. Once everyone was safely off the ride test runs were performed, with no one allowed back on until staff felt sure it was safe.
One person who was on the ride with their friend at the time said: "We went up to the top but then we were stuck there for about 15 minutes. We didn't know what was happening but then someone said the bracket had broke.
"[My friend] was already scared to go on in the first place but I persuaded him to go on. He was white as a sheet, he was terrified."
A woman who was on the ride before it experienced technical difficulties added: "I said to him before he went on the ride that the brackets were going to break. I was only joking, I didn't expect it to actually happen."
Full refunds - including for those who were waiting to board Speed Buzz - of the ride's £5 admission were provided afterwards. One person who was waiting said: "We were waiting in the line to get on but we were given a refund because they said it was broken."
They said "some people have been stuck up there for about 20 minutes" while another claimed they saw a girl crying on the ride. Speed Buzz operators Crow Events have been approached for comment.
