Moment thrill-seekers walk down UK’s biggest rollercoaster after getting STUCK halfway up on first day of Easter weekend
THIS is the terrifying moment thrillseekers were forced to walk down a terrifying 72-metre high rollercoaster after it broke down halfway up.
Scary snaps show dozens of punters gripping the railings as they shuffled off The Big One at Blackpool Pleasure beach today – on the first day of the Easter Weekend.
The horror at 235ft unfolded at 10.30am when witnesses said the 74mph ride stopped because of a “technical problem”.
Nobody was injured in the incident.
It is unclear how long the ride was closed for after the incident.
A spokesperson for Blackpool Pleasure Beach said: “The Big One rollercoaster stopped today (March 29) around 10.30am, towards the top of the lift hill.
“There was a minor technical problem and the safety system on the ride worked exactly as it should, and stopped the train on the lift as a precaution.
“Following our normal process, trained operators walked all riders safely down the steps, which were built for this purpose.
“This process took approximately 40 minutes and the ride is now back in operation.”
Today’s break-down is the third time this year the infamous coaster has malfunctioned.
On April 24 the rollercoaster halted in mid air – forcing riders to clamber down by foot .
And on April 11 the dizzying thrill-inducer was stopped mid-ride as bad weather rolled in.
Staff scrambled to rescue the high-speed carriage fans and guide them down steps that line the inclines.
A spokesperson said at the time: “Due to high gusts of wind the Big One rollercoaster closed for the remainder of the day.”
The two incidents are not the first that has plagued the record-breaking attraction.
Last May thrill seekers were left stranded when the ride completely stopped – forcing staff to scale The Big One.
And just two months after opening in 1994, 26 people were injured when the breaks on one carriage failed and it ploughed into another train.
A second collision in 2000 injured 16 when the brakes also failed.