Terrified thrillseekers were left dangling 131ft in the air when the ride they were on broke down as the funfair came to town for the first time in three years.
One unfortunate fair goer says she was left stranded for around 15 minutes on the 40 metres-high (131ft) Speed Buzz ride on the first day of the fair, while staff desperately tried to correct the problem.
Excited punters had rushed through the gates of the Newcastle funfair when it first reopened today (June 17) following a three year hiatus due to the pandemic, reports ChronicleLive.
But within three hours of opening, people on the popular ride found themselves stranded over 130ft off the ground as ride operators worked to resolve a technical issue.
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. It's currently at The Hoppings on Newcastle's Town Moor.
According to Crow Events, who manage Speed Buzz, the ride is 40m tall.
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.
