People have spoken of their alarm after they were left stranded 118ft in the air after a ride at The Hoppings in Newcastle experienced technical difficulties.
The Hoppings returned to Newcastle's Town Moor on Friday for the first time in three years. And as the gates opened at 1pm people headed straight to the funfair which looks set to be huge this year, featuring performances from live acts, a food village, new rides and the return of old favourites.
But within three hours of opening, people on the popular ride, Speed Buzz, found themselves stranded over 100ft off the ground as ride operators worked to resolve a technical issue with the ride.
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The ride, which seats eight people, rotates at high speed. It features a car for four people at each end of the ride which spin as Speed Buzz rotates.
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."
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 those operating it began performing test runs, with no one allowed on the ride until staff felt sure it was safe.
Everyone, including those waiting for the ride, received a full refund for the ride, which costs £5. 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. Some people have been suck up there for about 20 minutes." Another claimed they saw a girl crying on the ride.
Speed Buzz operators, Crow Events, have been contacted for a comment.
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