Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: CEN

Video Credit: CEN/@DiarioHuarpe

This is the stomach-churning moment terrified theme park visitors are evacuated by crane from a huge pendulum ride that broke down and left 36 thrill-seekers hanging in mid-air for 4 hours.

The incident took place at around 11.50pm in the newly-opened Hollywood Park in the city of San Juan in the north-western Argentine province of the same name

According to reports, 36 people were riding the ‘Discovery’ pendulum ride with dual swinging and spinning motions when it suddenly stopped at its most elevated position.

Pictures Credit: CEN & CEN/@DiarioHuarpe

Concerned loves ones on ground level noticed that the ride had stopped halfway through and began to panic. One father was heard screaming: “My son is on there, I cannot calm down.”

Emanuel, who was trapped on the ride for over four hours, told local media: “The machine made a creaking sound three times before stopping.

“I worked at an amusement park and I know that when a ride makes that sound, something is seriously wrong. I was calm, but some people were really panicking.”

“When we were brought down to ground level, some people could not move because they had the weight of other people sitting next to them pressed against their bodies.”

The emergency services were called to the scene and police spokesman Nestor Duarte told local media: “Cranes were used in the rescue operation and eight ambulances were sent to the park to attend to those trapped on the ride.”

According to the police, no one was seriously injured and the incident is being investigated.

It has been confirmed that the ride had passed all safety protocols before Hollywood Park opened last month.

The amusement park has since been closed as the probe continues.