6 days ago
Festivalgoers Stranded Upside Down For 20 Minutes As Ride Malfunctions: ‘It Was Freezing'
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The incident happened during Boardmasters, a four-day music festival held in Cornwall, England.
A night of fun at a popular UK music festival took an alarming turn when a high-flying ride came to an abrupt halt mid-air, leaving some riders suspended upside down before they were safely brought back to the ground shortly afterwards.
According to the reports, the incident happened on Thursday, August 7, during Boardmasters, a four-day music festival held in Cornwall, England. The Apollo 13 ride, set up at the festival's fairground in Newquay, came to a sudden halt after a brief loss of power, The Daily Mail reported.
What Happened During The Ride Malfunction
Video clips filmed by attendees and shared online captured the moment the ride stalled at the top of its arc. The Apollo 13 is known for its towering height and rotating arm, which swings passengers up to 180 feet in the air. The ride seats eight people in total, with four on each end of the spinning component.
According to the Daily Mail, the sudden stop left up to four riders stuck in an inverted position. A TikTok video taken during the incident showed the riders suspended at the highest point. It was captioned, 'Apollo 13 broke with people stuck at the top for 20 minutes."
(Credit: TikTok/josh.b2007)
The post drew mixed reactions, with one viewer wondering how terrifying it would be if the ride swayed in the wind. The person who filmed the clip described it as 'mad," while another user, claiming to have been on the ride, said it was simply 'freezing cold."
Organisers' Response
A Boardmasters spokesperson said the ride's safety system was triggered after detecting the fault. 'As a safety precaution, the ride automatically halted with people on board. The ride operator immediately responded and safely assisted all guests from the ride within 20 minutes. At no point were guests in any danger," the spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
Organisers confirmed that the Apollo 13 was thoroughly inspected before being allowed to operate again. After passing all safety checks, it resumed normal service. The festival concluded on August 10.
More About The Apollo 13 Ride
Apollo 13 is a travelling fairground ride that tours festivals and events across the UK. It takes its name from NASA's 1970 space mission, during which an oxygen tank explosion forced the crew to abandon their planned moon landing.
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Launched in 2024, the ride's operators regularly share behind-the-scenes updates on their official Facebook page, including routine maintenance tasks such as inspecting gears, replacing lights, and greasing pivot points.
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First Published:
August 11, 2025, 08:05 IST
News viral Festivalgoers Stranded Upside Down For 20 Minutes As Ride Malfunctions: 'It Was Freezing'
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