A GROUP of thrill seekers spent four hours suspended 100ft in the air after their fairground ride malfunctioned.
The terrifying ordeal unfolded when the “Gigant” pendulum ride, which can reach 164ft in height, came to a complete standstill.
Thrill seekers were left 100ft in the air Credit: Jam Press/A.C.D. Bomberos de Almer�a
Emergency services rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the trapped fairgoers Credit: Jam Press/A.C.D. Bomberos de Almer�a
The ride suffered an unexpected technical failure shortly after 11pm on Friday.
It left seven people suspended between 98ft above the ground on the penultimate night of the 2026 Almería Fair in Spain.
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Local cops rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the stranded riders before cordoning off the area.
Fears for their safety grew worse when firefighters failed to reach them during initial rescue attempts.
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The rescue operation was made difficult because of the ride’s design Credit: Jam Press/Bomberos del Poniente Almer�a
It took four hours for all seven riders to be freed Credit: Jam Press/A.C.D. Bomberos de Almer�a
But by 1.30am, emergency teams managed to reach the trapped group.
Firefighters, from Almería and Poniente, carefully rescued all seven thrill seekers one by one during the operation.
Rescue efforts were complicated by the fact that the ride’s passenger gondola could rotate.
This meant that removing one person would change the distribution of weight – potentially affecting the distribution of weight on the structure.
A nearby concert was cancelled during the rescue operation Credit: Jam Press/A.C.D. Bomberos de Almer�a
The terrifying ordeal unfolded in Spain on Friday Credit: Jam Press/A.C.D. Bomberos de Almer�a
The rescue was therefore carried out gradually.
Emergency services worked from different points around the gondola to control its movements and maintain safe conditions at all times.
Eventually, by 3am, the last trapped passenger reached the ground – wrapping up the group’s four hellish hours of torment.
But those on the ride were not the only people affected by the malfunction.
Concertgoers watching Mestiza perform at the fairground’s Concert Venue had their gig cancelled so firefighters could carry out the rescue operation without disruption.
Authorities said: “Complicated and delicate operation. Congratulations to our colleagues on the work carried out.
“Thanks to Bomberos del Poniente for their assistance.”
