'We started going upside down': Hair-raising footage shows Ferris wheel riders left hanging mid-air as high winds buffet Florida fair
TAMPA, FLORIDA: In an unusual incident, a ride at a state fair in Florida got stuck in high winds on Friday, February 17. The ride that got stuck in the midway is named 'Enterprise' and resembles a Ferris wheel with individual gondolas. The incident left some of the riders hanging entirely upside down.
Meanwhile, The Florida State Fair is an annual event at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Some were repeatedly flipped and whipped back and forth by the heavy wind. Many of them even shared their experience online. Earlier in another incident, a 14-year-old boy died after slipping off his seat from the 400ft-drop Orlando Free Fall ride at Orlando's ICON theme park.
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What were the responses from riders?
Some of the riders responded regarding the incident. “We started going upside down and I didn’t see that happen with the previous riders. It just felt kind of different. So that’s when I started yelling ‘stop the ride!," said Janine Ford, who took her 9-year-old son to the fair to USA Today. Ford had bruises after the ride got stuck in between. Janine Chantelle wrote on Facebook, "Surviving the #floridastatefair never again.. a ride malfunctioned and we were stuck in the air for about 30 minutes.. im a little bruised the kids were traumatized .. but we have our life it could have been a different ending .."
Another rider, Alexis Cresong, wrote on Facebook, "Thanking God my friend and I made it home safely tonight. Florida state fair was an absolute nightmare. It’s hard to explain the feeling of fear that took over us today. The ride pictured malfunctioned on us, leaving us stuck in midair upside down, no seat belts with gaps big enough to lose grip and fall. We were hanging on for dear life to the bars as they got us down, without knowing what was to come. I truly can’t describe how it felt to see your life flash before your eyes. God was definitely with us. I’m definitely holding my baby closer tonight."
What is the response from authorities?
The Florida State Fair authorities claimed safety mechanisms “were activated, which caused the ride to shut down as designed," and also a thorough investigation will be held in this regard. They also claimed, “We swiftly began exiting guests from the ride, in the most safe and timely manner. All safety and emergency protocols were followed,” the statement said. “Out of an abundance of caution, the ride remained closed for the remainder of the Fair," as per USA Today.
What is the ride 'Enterprise?'
Wade Shows, the company that runs the ride, described the ride Enterprise as, "Holding a massive 40 people at a time, this ride has an enormous capacity per hour. The ride is very prominent on the midway, displaying a large back wall. The Enterprise rises in the air above the midway and the circle of light it makes as it rises is a sight to behold."
