Latest news with #pendulumride
Russia Today
31-07-2025
- Russia Today
Thrill ride collapses mid-air in Saudi Arabia (VIDEO)
Three people are in critical condition after a pendulum-style giant swing ride in a fun park in Saudi Arabia broke in half while loaded with thrill seekers. The accident at Green Mountain Park at the popular resort in Al-Hada, Taif, injured at least 23 people, according to Mojaz News. Viral video footage circulating since Thursday shows the '360° ride' swinging at full speed before the main support column suddenly fractures. The passenger platform, filled with riders, plummets to the ground, sparking panic. "الجبل الاخضر"كنت انتظر دوري وربي كتب لي عمر حمدلله Eyewitnesses, cited by the Khaleej Times, said the ride's support pole recoiled violently, striking some passengers. Others were injured after falling from their seats during the collapse. On Thursday, the Taif Governorate announced an official investigation into the cause of the failure and said the park's operations have been suspended. Amusement ride accidents continue to raise safety concerns worldwide. In 2023, a pendulum ride in Ecuador failed mid-air, injuring 10 people. In April 2025, a woman died after falling from a roller coaster in Delhi, India.
The Independent
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Sneak peek at new rollercoaster coming to Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Blackpool Pleasure Beach has released CGI footage of its new rollercoaster, Aviktas, which is set to be the tallest of its kind in the UK. The £8.72 million pendulum ride, scheduled to open in 2026, will stand at 138ft high. Aviktas will seat 40 riders and is designed to sway 120 degrees from side to side, simulating the motion of flying. Upon its launch, the gyro swing will surpass Drayton Manor 's 74ft Maelstrom as the highest in the UK. Watch the video in full above.
The Independent
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
First-look at UK's ‘tallest of its kind' rollercoaster ride set to transform Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Blackpool Pleasure Beach has released footage of an upcoming rollercoaster ride which it has said will be the 'tallest of its kind' in the UK. The amusement park shared a CGI first look on Friday (25 July), which shows the £8.72m pendulum ride called Aviktas swinging across the resort's famous coastline. Set to open in 2026, the 138ft gyro swing will seat 40 riders and sway 120 degrees from side to side to simulate the motion of flying. Following its opening, it will surpass current champion, a 74-ft high gyro swing called Maelstrom at Drayton Manor.
Daily Mail
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Major UK amusement park reveals footage of new 'tallest of its kind' ride set to transform skyline
Blackpool Pleasure Beach has unveiled footage of its newest ride - which promises to be the 'tallest of its kind' in the UK and transform the resort's famous coastline. The park has released the first CGI video of Aviktas, a brand-new £8.72m pendulum ride set to open in 2026. Riders will fly on the towering 138ft gyro swing, alongside the popular Big One roller coaster and parallel to the coast, which is displayed in new footage created by the park's creative team. The ride will be the 'tallest of its kind' in the UK, surpassing the current leader, Drayton Manor's Maelstrom, which reaches approximately 74 feet in height. The giant spinning attraction will swings 40 riders 120 degrees, facing outwards with their legs dangling, essentially mimicking the exhilarating feeling of flying. Amanda Thompson OBE, CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort said: 'We're known for going big at Pleasure Beach, and Aviktas is exactly that. 'We hope by releasing this video, guests will be able to understand the mammoth scale of our new investment, and the huge impact it'll have on our park and the industry as a whole. 'This ride will be colossal, daunting, exhilarating and an incredible addition to the town.' Before the ride's official unveiling as Aviktas, it was cryptically referred to as 'Project 2026' by bosses. Though many fans were left scratching their heads by the ride's initial name, the park insisted it was staying tight-lipped on how it will come to life. Amanda added: 'This is the first small tease of what we have planned, there's plenty more teasers on the way! 'Keep an eye on our socials, as what may now seem mysterious, will eventually be revealed!' Demolition work at the former Bowl-A-Drome site, which will become home to the new ride, is well underway, with the area now completely clear of any pervious building. Meanwhile, Universal Studios has released detailed planning documents for its highly anticipated UK theme park14875477 - revealing ambitions to feature the tallest rollercoaster in Europe. At the Bedfordshire resort, visitors can look forward to rides and attractions based on iconic Universal franchises, such as Jurassic Park, Minions and Jaws. In documents submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Universal proposes building attractions reaching up to 377 feet (115 metres) - making them taller than any ride currently operating in Europe. The current tallest ride in the UK is Thorpe Park's Hyperia, standing at 236 feet (72 metres), while the tallest ride in Europe is Red Force at 367 feet (112 metres), located at PortAventura World in Spain. 'The reason for proposing structures up to this maximum height is to allow the proposed theme park to compete with other attractions in Europe,' according to the documents. 'Although the Universal Orlando Resort does not currently have attractions up to this height, taller attractions are more common in Europe, where rides need to be taller to create the experience, as space is more constrained. 'Building attractions that are higher, rather than over greater areas, also makes the best use of land which is in line with planning policy.'
