It's every person's worst nightmare.
Going on a fairground amusement is a feat some people will be more inclined to try than others, but this incident will surely put the stomachs of the biggest thrill-seekers in a knot.
In Galway's Eyre Square yesterday evening, the iconic big wheel which overlooks the city broke down minutes after the Christmas market was officially opened.
Members of the public who were using the ride were left trapped in their individual pods on the fairground ride when it stopped turning and remained there until approximately 9 pm when emergency services arrived to aid the 20 passengers off the amusement.
County councillor Padraig Conneely for Galway is now asking that the big wheel amusement be put out of use until the reason for the stoppage is found with an investigation.
Speaking to the Independent, he said the people trapped were scared following the incident: "There were a lot of people on it when it stopped. I'm sure it was very frightening for people having to be rescued by a cherry picker...
"A lot of those trapped are shaken by what occurred."
Spectators and attendees of the Christmas Fair shared videos and photos of the wheel stopping movement.
Only in Galway would the big wheel break down in the 1st day with people on it #galwaychristmasmarket pic.twitter.com/rMntoPIvJX
— Darragh Devlin (@darraghdevlin87) November 17, 2017
The big wheel is stuck in Eyre Square on the opening night of the Christmas Market.... pic.twitter.com/utfnmdzOca
— Kieran O Malley (@GalwayPlayer) November 17, 2017
The Big Wheel at the Christmas Market in Galway is stuck ... with people on it pic.twitter.com/pyoFTEOBr4
— Enda Cunningham (@endacunningham) November 17, 2017
People are trapped on a big wheel at Galway Christmas market pic.twitter.com/ptdUgPaXZY
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) November 17, 2017
