Teens Left Dangling From Fairground Ride After 'Freak Accident'

Two teenagers caught up in a 'freak accident' at a fairground were left dangling in the air.

Rihanna Brown and Emma Poole visited Tucker's Funfair in Cleethorpes, but ended up suspended above horrified crowds after an issue with the counterbalance on the Snow Storm ride.

Rihanna told GrimsbyLive: "I was in a lot of pain while my head was trapped.

"I was looking down at all the shocked faces on the kids and I was really scared.

"I had no idea what was happening and was freaking out a bit."

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Emma added: "I couldn't look at the ground, I was telling Rihanna to calm down, but I feel better knowing how everything happened."

The carriage the teens were in began to drift upwards to balance itself as the girls hopped onto the ride.

The carriage had started to move before the operator was able to properly secure the bar that was supposed to be holding the pair in.

Emma's mum Stacey Kinley said: "We've spoken to the owners and been told how the incident happened.

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"There was no fault with the ride, but an issue with the counterbalance system on the machine.

"We're glad to have the facts of the events.

"The ride wasn't in motion at the time, it was caused due to a counterbalance problem and there being two heavier people at the opposite end of the ride to our daughters.

"Thankfully, the ride was brought back down immediately, but I'd like to stress that the girls did nothing to cause the problem.

"The bar had not been secured properly and the carriage began to rise up, before the operator could grab them it had risen without the safety pin in and the girls began to drift upwards.

"Thankfully, they're both alright."

A spokesperson from Tucker's fair said: "When we got the girls down, they were understandably very shook up.

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"I'm just glad that the girls are safe, which was our only concern.

"We've all got kids and we'd all be the same as the mothers in this situation.

"Immediately, we got everyone off the ride and went through the safety procedures.

"We then rang the ride inspector who told me what to look at to make sure we'd checked everything.

"The main thing is that the girls are okay. No one was at fault, not us and not the girls. Like I said, we're just glad both girls are safe."

Topics: UK News, Theme Park

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19