Florida amusement park ride stops midair at state fair while carriages flip: 'Can't trust it anymore'
An amusement park ride at the Florida State Fair in Tampa stopped midair on Feb. 17 while carriages were flipping. (Brandi Freymuller via Storyful)
An amusement park ride at the Florida State Fair in Tampa stopped abruptly with passengers onboard, causing carriages to start whipping side to side as onlookers watched in horror.
The ride, called the "Enterprise," uses momentum to keep riders inside the carriage and on their seats while using no restraints, according to FOX 13.
On Feb. 17, the ride suddenly shut down, leaving passengers stuck in midair as some of the carriages flipped back and forth repeatedly and some riders were left hanging upside down. The malfunction didn't cause any serious injuries.
"Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God," a woman can be heard saying while watching the ride stall.
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The ride, called the "Enterprise," uses momentum to keep riders inside the carriage and on their seats while using no restraints, according to FOX 13. (Brandi Freymuller via Storyful)
Brandi Freymuller, the individual who recorded the video, said that she was scared that kids were going to fall out.
"I was originally live on TikTok, but I had to stop it because I was afraid of one of the kids falling out," Freymuller said. "There's no seat belt, no harnesses … the ride is meant to keep you on with gravity because there's nothing keeping them in the car. We thought they were going to fall out."
Freymuller said she may never go on the ride again.
"We have Busch Gardens, it’s not set up every other week. We can't trust it anymore, that was my favorite ride," Freymuller said.
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On Feb. 17, the ride stalled, leaving passengers stuck in midair while some of the carriages were flipping side to side. The malfunction didn't cause any injuries. (Brandi Freymuller via Storyful)
One person on Facebook who said she was on the ride while it stalled said the experience was "an absolute nightmare."
"It’s hard to explain the feeling of fear that took over us today. The ride pictured malfunctioned on us, leaving us stuck in midair upside down, no seat belts with gaps big enough to lose grip and fall. We were hanging on for dear life to the bars as they got us down, without knowing what was to come. I truly can’t describe how it felt to see your life flash before your eyes. God was definitely with us. I’m definitely holding my baby closer tonight," she said.
Frank Zaitshik, owner of Wade Shows & Midway, which operates the ride, said in a statement that safety mechanisms were activated.
An amusement park ride at the Florida State Fair in Tampa stopped midair on Feb. 17, causing carriages to whip side to side. (Brandi Freymuller via Storyful)
"Late this afternoon, the Enterprise was operating, and the safety mechanisms were activated, which caused the ride to shut down as designed," Zaitshik wrote. "We swiftly began exiting guests from the ride, in the most safe and timely manner. All safety and emergency protocols were followed. A thorough inspection will be conducted into what triggered the safety mechanisms. Out of an abundance of caution, the ride will remain closed for the remainder of the Fair."
