22 February 2023 , 12:30
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Thrill seekers were left hanging upside down and fearing for their lives after a theme park ride malfunctioned.
The frightening incident happened at the Florida State Fair on February 17 after the Enterprise Ride, which looks like a ferris wheel, swung from left to right after its safety mechanism acted up.
People were left holding on “for dear life” as footage shows each carriage going upside down for a brief period before completely stopping.
The ride, which has no seatbelts, is seen standing vertically and leaves some of the thrill seekers hanging completely upside down amid fears for their own safety.
Alexis Cresong, who was on the ride at the time of the terrifying accident, said everyone was terrified.
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She posted on Facebook: "We were hanging on for dear life to the bars as they got us down, without knowing what was to come."
The ferris wheel malfunctioned and left thrill seekers terrified (Brandi Freymuller via Storyful)
People were left hanging completely upside down and feared for their lives (Brandi Freymuller via Storyful)Alexis believes the ride she was in had gaps “big enough to lose grip and fall.”
She added: “I truly can’t describe how it felt to see your life flash before your eyes. God was definitely with us. I’m definitely holding my baby closer tonight.”
While a mum, who was on the ride with her children, said her kids have been left terrified after they were left with bruises from the incident.
Janine Chantelle wrote on Facebook: "Surviving the Florida state fair never again..
"A ride malfunctioned and we were stuck in the air for about 30 minutes.. I'm a little bruised the kids were traumatised .. but we have our life. It could have been a different ending."
The ride was shut down for the remainder of the fair following the incident (Brandi Freymuller via Storyful)Frank Zaitshik, owner of Wade Shows and midway manager of the Florida state fair, said the ride was shut down for the remainder of the fair following the accident.
He said in a statement: “Late Friday afternoon, the Enterprise was operating, and the safety mechanisms were activated, which caused the ride to shut down as designed.
"We swiftly began exiting guests from the ride, in the most safe and timely manner. All safety and emergency protocols were followed.
"A thorough inspection will be conducted into what triggered the safety mechanisms. Out of an abundance of caution, the ride remained closed for the remainder of the Fair.”
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The fair had already reported an injury earlier in the year after a woman was left with two sprained ankles after the Midway’s “Spin Out” ride malfunctioned.