Pleasurewood Hills rollercoaster strands 27 people in the air

Twenty-seven people, including children, were rescued after being stranded on the Wipeout rollercoaster at Pleasurewood Hills in Lowestoft, Suffolk. The incident occurred on a Monday afternoon during the August Bank Holiday when the ride came to a sudden halt approximately 15 metres (50 feet) above the ground.

Emergency crews from the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service responded to the scene around 1:26 pm. Using specialized equipment, including an aerial ladder and a scissor lift, firefighters safely brought all passengers down to the ground. The rescue operation lasted several hours, with the final passengers being returned to safety by approximately 4:05 pm.

No injuries were reported during the incident. The Wipeout is the park’s flagship attraction, standing over 40 metres tall. While the ride underwent a £1 million transformation recently to improve safety and comfort, it has experienced previous technical issues, including a brief stoppage in July 2024 and a rescue operation in 2017.