Hull Fair bungee ride snaps
Two teenagers were left suspended into the air after a rope on a bungee ride at Hull Fair snapped.
The scenes were captured by a fairgoer who watched in horror as the girls screamed for help.
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The bungee ride
Ride operators managed to slowly lower the girls to the ground where they were attended to by paramedics.
Yorkshire Ambulance Service confirmed the pair were not injured as a result of the incident, which happened on the S&D Bungee on Saturday night, at about 10.15pm.
University of Hull student Colin Jones, 22, caught the moment that the rope snapped on his camera.
His dramatic pictures are printed exclusively in tonight's Mail.
The amateur photographer, of north Hull, said: "I was taking pictures of the rides when I saw the bungee one. The next thing I knew, the right cord flared up and split and within seconds, the bungee on the left let loose and the whole ride went off to the side.
"The two girls were screaming. The ride was suspended mid-air and was bashing into the metal pole.
"Every man and his dog crowded round the ride. They were worried for the girls and everyone was looking and taking videos and pictures on their phones.
"When the girls got off they were smiling and giggling so they were obviously not injured."
Another witness, Dave Musgrave, 18, of north Hull, told the Mail: "Me and a mate were queuing for the bungee ride and we were watching as two girls were catapulted into the air.
"Halfway up though, one side of the rope suddenly snapped and the carriage swung into the metal frame.
"Everybody was in shock. The girls looked really frightened."
Fairgoers in the queue for the ride were immediately offered £10 refunds and the ride was closed after the incident.
The fair is managed and organised by Hull City Council.
A spokeswoman told the Mail it took prompt action following the incident.
"Within minutes of the incident Hull City Council's Health and Safety officer attended and it was agreed with the operator that the ride would be closed straight away to allow a full safety check to be completed," she said.
"The check revealed a systems failure but the ride's safety mechanism worked immediately, preventing it from taking off and instead moving the carriage to one side and bringing it to a halt.
"A further inspection by an independent test inspector will be carried out today and the ride must be certified as safe before Health and Safety authorise it to go back into operation.
"If authorisation is given the ride will reopen today.
"We would stress that the safety and wellbeing of the public is of paramount concern to both the council and the fairground operators."
46 Comments
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by Karen, walsall!
Friday, November 14 2008, 3:16AM
“well i have worked on a travellling fairground for years, i was working up hull the time that this happened, the rides were being safety checked every day up hull!! the heath and safety officer was about every day,!! every morning the workers would get up and check their rides!!!!
i think u r all going crazy over nuffin!!
and as for the comment about the kids rides prices increasin at different times, thats nonsense becuse the kids rides were all£1.50 n didnt move!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
okaiiiiii thank u!!!!!
look 4ward 2 seein evry1 at hull fir nxt year1!!!!!!”
by james, keighley
Wednesday, October 15 2008, 5:56PM
“i have worked on the fair an they are a lot safer than the theme park the rides are checked everyday an they are build up everyweek in a different place so i no that this is just a result of wear an tear on the ride if u dont like it simply dont go to the then james”
by Liam, willerby
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 10:26PM
“hey, i was there lining up for it wen i saw it happen. i was talking to my m8s wen we heared a funny sound. i got my phone camera out and got the video. lol a classic youtube moment.”
by Elliott, Hessle
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 7:58PM
“one of the girls on this ride is a dear friend to me, i haven't seen her since this happened but ive been in touch with her and she's fine, just abit shocked.
I dont go on any rides at Hull Fair anyway and deffinatly wont be after this!
:)”
by DR J A ZOIDBERG, Ull
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 9:59AM
“So Dave living in reality,what exactly is the fail safe device then ....the rope at the other side of the pod that gently slams you into the side of the ride?”
by Dr J A ZOIDBERG, Ull
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 9:44AM
“Jesus did anyone see that Health and safety guy on the news, which care in the community building did they get him from.He had a clip board though so we must be safe. Hope that clip was not shown nationally, thought it was Dewey out of the film Scream.”
by Gill, hull
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 9:32AM
“this ride should be taken out of service and the people running it should be held responsible for their actions, obviously proper checks were not carried out and peoples lives were put at risk. Not just those on the ride but those walking around it. I know that the fair is a dangerous place, but it has happened once and can happen again. Boycott the ride, dont go on it!!!”
by Pete, Hull
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 9:03AM
“Chris, Brough if you offer something to some one that is that., When they take it you have given them a refund. So offering a refund is the correct term.”
by Pete, Hull
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 8:58AM
“It amazes me that readers think everyone is as pi..s poor as they are.
I took my grand children to fare, spent £78 and will take them again. I am not on the dole so this puts the cat among you dole obsessed people.
Did notice the fares for children's rides have a sliding scale. before 7pm £1.5. 7 to 8 pm £2 after 8pm £2.5.
Will try 8am and see if that is any cheaper”
by Alex (The Black One), Hull
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 8:28AM
“i know saff and i haven't seen her since this incident i just hope she's alright”