Stranded Riders at Popular Music Festival After Amusement Ride Malfunction
Festival attendees at a well-known music event experienced a scary moment when an amusement ride unexpectedly shut down, leaving several people hanging upside down.
This incident occurred early Thursday morning at the Boardmasters festival in Cornwall, England. Video footage shared by festivalgoers and statements from organizers revealed that the Apollo 13 ride faced a sudden power failure around 1 a.m.
TikTok videos showed riders suspended high in the air, unable to move for about 20 minutes. One user described the scene as “mad,” while another humorously speculated about the wind shifting the ride during the unusual pause.
The Apollo 13 ride, which travels to different festivals across the UK, is named after a historic NASA mission from 1970. The attraction features a rotating arm that can swing riders as high as 180 feet. During the malfunction, some riders remained upside down.
Despite the situation appearing alarming, organizers emphasized that safety measures worked as intended. A spokesperson for Boardmasters explained, “As a safety precaution, the ride automatically halted when people were on board. The ride operator acted quickly and safely assisted all guests from the ride within 20 minutes.”
They reassured the public that at no point were riders in danger. The ride has since passed a safety check and has resumed regular operations.
The Apollo 13 ride was launched in 2024, with operators frequently updating its maintenance status on Facebook. A recent post detailed thorough inspections conducted before each event.
The four-day Boardmasters festival is set to conclude on Sunday, August 10.
