UK rollercoaster emergency left people ‘stuck’ after beam fell on track in ‘big bang’

The incident took place on the Monkey Mayhem ride at West Midlands Safari Park and two passengers were trapped for 30 minutes

A rollercoaster was forced to close after a structural beam fell onto the track, leaving passengers ‘stuck’ for 30 minutes and in need of rescue. The incident took place at 3.25pm on October 25, on the Monkey Mayhem ride at West Midlands Safari Park.

A metal structural beam from the ride reportedly fell onto the track, causing the rollercoaster to make an emergency stop and shut down. Regal Smith, 27, who was visiting the park with their son, described the chaos as people began ‘screaming’ and ‘running away’ from the attraction.

They also claimed that two people, who looked like a mother and son, were trapped on the ride for 30 minutes before a rescue team were able to bring them down. “The ride was visibly shaking as the carts went round,” they said. “I was next in queue for the ride, heard a bang, one of the main beams from the ride dislodged and obstructed the track. Then there was a big bang as the metal beam dislodged and clanged against the metal track.

“Everyone started screaming and running away from the ride including the people in the queue. A climber went up to look at the damage and a rescue team came too. The piece is dislodged, it’s clear to see. It looks like it’s a case of the bolt coming out.”

In response to the event, a spokesperson from West Midlands Safari Park said: “We can confirm that on Friday 25 October at 3:25pm, a support beam became partially detached on our Monkey Mayhem ride. Our ride operator performed an emergency stop and two guests were safely evacuated in under 30 minutes, in line with our procedures. There were no reported injuries, and first aid assistance was offered but not required. We have also kept in touch with those involved.

“Our ride operator performed an emergency stop and two guests were safely evacuated in under 30 minutes, in line with our procedures. There were no reported injuries, and first aid assistance was offered but not required. We have also kept in touch with those involved.”

Despite claims that people were ‘running and screaming’, CCTV footage proves this was not the case and the situation was calm and well-managed, the park said.