Horror as thrill-seekers left dangling on rollercoaster 100m in air as storm cuts power

A power cut caused by a serious storm left dozens of terrified rollercoaster riders dangling upside down around 100 metres off the ground for around half an hour

Dozens of thrill-seekers were forced to endure a nightmare scenario after a power cut left them dangling upside down from a rollercoaster hundreds of feet in the air during a storm.

The unlucky riders were left suspended at a height of around 330ft (100m), after strong winds and torrential rain plunged parts of the city of Harbin, China into near-darkness and triggered a sudden power failure.

The rollercoaster halted abruptly near the top of its near-vertical track as the storm cut electricity to the park, with what must have felt like an age going by before park management managed to activate its emergency plan and safely evacuate all passengers by guiding them to walk along the tracks to the ground.

The power cut took place at the Harbin Sunac Land amusement park in the city of Harbin, China, yesterday afternoon (31 May).

Footage shared on social media captured the moment bystanders reacted in shock, with one shouting that the “violent storm and rain cut the power and left the rollercoaster hanging upside down”.

Harbin authorities have confirmed that no serious injuries were reported, with the amusement park issued a statement confirming the power outage was caused by the extreme strong winds and announced its temporary closure for the remainder of the day.

An investigation has reportedly been launched in order to determine exactly why safety systems failed to immediately supply backup electricity to return the ride to the loading platform.

Local meteorologists clarified that the yellow dust wall engulfing the city was not a sandstorm but the result of short-duration strong winds and rainfall lifting surface dust during a convective weather event.

Across Harbin, the same storm uprooted large trees, tore roofing and cladding from buildings, and triggered widespread secondary damage including smashed windows and flying debris.

Residents described scenes resembling an apocalyptic film as visibility plummeted and car alarms filled the streets.

The dramatic incident follows a similar event at the UK’s Thorpe Park last weekend, where several guests where reportedly left trapped for half an hour during the blistering heatwave on Bank Holiday Monday as two popular attractions ‘broke down’ simultaneously.

In clips posted on Instagram, two attractions were filmed having broken down at the same time on Bank Holiday Monday, leaving riders allegedly stuck on the rides for half an hour in sweltering 33 degree heat.

A spokesperson for Thorpe Park said: ‘Hyperia and Colossus experienced brief stoppages unrelated to weather on Monday 25th May.

“Both rides were brought to a controlled stop on their lift hills before restarting and being brought back into their ride stations where all guests safely disembarked.

“The health and safety of our guests and staff is our number one priority and at no stage were there any safety concerns for guests.

“Stoppages are perfectly normal and commonly experienced in theme parks everywhere and both rides reopened shortly after.”

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