Riders Left Hanging Upside Down at Boardmasters Festival
At Boardmasters festival in Cornwall the Apollo 13 ride malfunctioned leaving riders dangling upside down 180 feet above ground for 20 minutes No one was harmed .
Incident at a Glance
In the early hours of Thursday August 7 2025 at the Boardmasters music festival in Newquay Cornwall an amusement ride malfunction left festivalgoers in a tense and unforgettable position Up to four thrill seekers were stranded 180 feet above the ground suspended upside down for roughly 20 minutes before the ride was safely brought back down .
What Went Wrong
The attraction known as Apollo 13 is a traveling fairground ride seen at events across the UK It suddenly came to a stop after a brief power loss triggered its automatic safety systems This abrupt halt froze the ride mid operation leaving riders hanging high in the air Festival organizers later confirmed that no guests were ever in danger and stressed that the rides safety features worked exactly as intended .
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Rider Experience and Reactions
Festival attendees who witnessed the incident described the scene as both alarming and surreal Several captured the moment on TikTok showing riders stuck at the rides highest point One viewer commented No but imagine being up there and it started to move because of the wind reflecting the tension of the situation The clips quickly spread online prompting discussions about ride safety and the unnerving experience Officials reassured everyone that the stoppage was minor and that trained staff acted quickly to resolve it .
Ride Background and Safety Checks
Apollo 13 is a relatively new addition to the UKs traveling fair circuit debuting in 2024 It is promoted for its intense thrills and is maintained through a strict daily safety routine Operators reportedly inspect gears clean and regrease moving parts tighten bolts and test restraint systems before each operating day Following the Boardmasters incident the ride underwent a full inspection before being cleared to reopen reaffirming its safety compliance .
Festival Continuity
Despite the unexpected pause the Boardmasters festival continued largely unaffected The event renowned for its mix of live music surfing competitions and beachside attractions welcomed thousands of visitors over the weekend Organizers maintained that the technical hiccup did not disrupt performances or the overall festival atmosphere .
Final Thoughts
While the sight of people hanging upside down 180 feet in the air may have startled onlookers the Apollo 13 incident ultimately proved to be a testament to modern ride safety systems The malfunction was resolved without injury and the rides pre existing safeguards worked exactly as designed It served as an unusual reminder that even in moments of mechanical failure preparation and engineering can keep thrill seekers safe .