Visitors to the theme park were left shocked as people were stuck on the ride for at least 20 minutes

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People were left stranded high in the air after a theme park ride experienced 'technical difficulties'. The ride, called Speed Buzz, rotates at high speeds but became stuck with a group stuck 118ft in the air.

ChronicleLive reports that the ride was at an event called The Hoppings in Newcastle which had returned for the first time in three years. However, within three hours of opening the technical fault struck leaving people stranded high in the air.

One person who was on the ride with their friend at the time said: "We went up to the top but then we were stuck there for about 15 minutes. We didn't know what was happening but then someone said the bracket had broke.

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"[My friend] was already scared to go on in the first place but I persuaded him to go on. He was white as a sheet, he was terrified."

A woman who was on the ride before it experienced technical difficulties added: "I said to him before he went on the ride that the brackets were going to break, I was only joking, I didn't expect it to actually happen."

Those who were on the ride said they were left tilted in their seats as staff worked to resolve the issue. Once everyone was safely off the ride those operating it began performing test runs, with no one allowed on the ride until staff felt sure it was safe.

Everyone, including those waiting for the ride, received a full refund for the ride, which costs £5. One person who was waiting said: "We were waiting in the line to get on but we were given a refund because they said it was broken. Some people have been suck up there for about 20 minutes." Another claimed they saw a girl crying on the ride.

Speed Buzz operators, Crow Events, have been contacted for a comment by our sister site ChronicleLive.

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