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FAIRGROUND RESCUE

Fire crews save 19 people including six children trapped on a fairground ride in central London

Terrified riders stuck 20 metres in the air after Southbank attraction breaks down

FIREFIGHTERS have rescued 19 people including six children from a fairground ride on the Southbank in central London.

Ten hanging capsules holding adults and children were stuck 20 metres in the air for several hours on Sunday evening.

Fire crews raced to free those trapped on a ride on Londonˈs South Bank last night
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Fire crews raced to free those trapped on a ride on Londonˈs South Bank last nightCredit: Rex Features
Fire crews used raised platforms to bring those stuck back down to ground. Many of the carriage were suspended at 20m above ground
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Fire crews used raised platforms to bring those stuck back down to ground. Many of the carriage were suspended at 20m above groundCredit: Rex Features
No one was injured during the ride malfunction on Sunday evening
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No one was injured during the ride malfunction on Sunday eveningCredit: Rex Features
Many of those stuck on the ride were young children with their parents
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Many of those stuck on the ride were young children with their parentsCredit: Rex Features
Many who became struck were clearly distressed when they were finally freed last night
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Many who became struck were clearly distressed when they were finally freed last nightCredit: Rex Features
Fire crews said: "Everyone was very relieved to be back on the ground but everyone was very calm."
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Fire crews said: "Everyone was very relieved to be back on the ground but everyone was very calm."Credit: Rex Features
Firefighters rescuing 19 people on the Southbank London
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Stuck ... Two fire engines from nearby Lambeth Fire Station were first on the sceneCredit: Sky News
Visitors ride on the Star Flyer carousel fairground attraction on the Southbank in central London
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Trapped ... Adults and children were stuck on the Star Flyer carouselCredit: Reuters

Two fire engines from Lambeth fire station and two aerial ladder platforms from Greenwich and Clapham fire stations were at the scene.

Station Manager Clive Robinson, who led the rescue, said crews used the aerial ladder platforms, which are "a bit like a cherry picker", to reach the people and bring them back down.

Firefighters rescuing 19 people on the Southbank London
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Help ... Crews worked with a fairground engineer to help align the pods with their laddersCredit: Sky News

Crews worked with an onsite engineer to help align the pods of the Star Flyer ride with the rescue ladders.

Riders were trapped on the attraction for over three hours after an unknown technical fault caused it to stop.

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No injuries have been reported.

A spokeswoman for the Health and Safety Executive said: "We are aware of the incident and we are making inquiries."

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