Terrifying scenes show the moment a children’s ride toppled over and collapsed, leaving parents helplessly watching on as youngsters screamed in fear.
A total of 18 people were injured in the incident, which took place on the Fruit Flying Chair ride in Hanzhong, Shaanxi province, China, on 27 July.
They all required hospital treatment, with one having to be kept under observation by doctors because they were in such shock from what happened.
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WARNING: CONTAINS DISTRESSING CONTENT
Footage shows the swing ride spinning around as designed, with riders circling the attraction in seats attached to long chains or cables.
But suddenly the main body of the ride begins to fall over, with those on the ride screaming out in fear as they come crashing to the ground as others watched on in horror.
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As it crashes, parents and bystanders can then be seen rushing over to pull riders from the wreckage, with one clip showing adults picking through the debris as they attempt to search for injured children.
Others also attempted to try and lift the ride to return it to an upright position, in a bid to free any other stranded riders.
According to officials, 18 people who had been on the ride were taken to Liuba County Hospital.
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One adult had fractures to the left humerus – the bone between the shoulder and elbow – and ribs, and was immediately transferred to Hanzhong Central Hospital for urgent treatment.
Another 16 were discharged from hospital the same night, while one adult remained under medics’ care under observation, as they were suffering from shock.
Three adults and 14 children were found to have survived unscathed.
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Local authorities are now reported to have opened an investigation into the incident, as footage was met with shock after circulating online.
One person commented: "I was really frightened. Fortunately, the children did not have a major incident. How is this safety guaranteed? Is it because of quality problems or other reasons? Thorough investigation!"
Another wrote: "An adult was so frightened that he was hospitalised for observation, and the children went back to their respective homes. In the end is the adult too fragile, or our children are too strong."
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Topics: World News
Jess Hardiman