In a scene straight from a nightmare, thrill-seeking tourists experienced genuine terror when a slingshot ride at a popular attraction suffered a catastrophic power failure, leaving them suspended helplessly 250 feet above the ground.
Horrified onlookers captured the heart-stopping incident on video as the ride, designed to propel passengers into the air at breathtaking speeds, suddenly lost all power during operation. The malfunction left the victims dangling precariously in their harnesses with no immediate means of descent.
The Harrowing Wait for Rescue
Emergency services rushed to the scene as witnesses reported the ride's complete operational failure. The stranded passengers remained suspended for what witnesses described as an "agonisingly long" period while engineers and rescue teams worked to manually lower the carriage to safety.
One eyewitness recounted the panic among spectators: "We could see them just hanging there, completely still. Nobody knew if they were safe or if the harnesses would hold. It was absolutely terrifying to watch."
Safety Investigations Launched
Health and Safety Executive officials have launched an immediate investigation into the incident, examining maintenance records and operational procedures. The attraction has temporarily closed the ride pending a full safety review.
This incident raises serious questions about safety protocols at amusement rides across the UK, particularly regarding backup power systems and emergency response procedures for such high-altitude attractions.
A spokesperson for the attraction stated: "The safety and wellbeing of our visitors is our absolute priority. We are working closely with authorities to understand exactly what occurred and ensure such an incident cannot happen again."
The affected passengers received medical evaluation following their ordeal, though early reports suggest no physical injuries were sustained during the frightening incident.
