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Twenty-seven people are trapped on 'Wipeout' rollercoaster 50ft in the air for more than two hours at Suffolk theme park
United Kingdom⚽ Sports8/31/2026

Twenty-seven people are trapped on 'Wipeout' rollercoaster 50ft in the air for more than two hours at Suffolk theme park

On August 31, 2026, 27 people were trapped on the Wipeout rollercoaster at Pleasurewood Hills theme park in Suffolk, England, for over two hours after the ride malfunctioned. Firefighters from three stations responded to the incident, which occurred around 1:30 pm during a bank holiday weekend. The stranded passengers, including children, were suspended approximately 50 feet in the air before being rescued at 4:05 pm using aerial ladders and scissor lifts. No injuries were reported. This was not the first time the ride had experienced issues; in 2017, firefighters had to free an injured person after similar circumstances. The ride, which opened in 2007 and underwent a £1 million renovation in 2024/25, is known for its unique design featuring a cobra roll and vertical loop.

Mother Stacey Stewart described the terrifying moment she and her two young daughters were left hanging 50 feet in the air for more than two hours after a rollercoaster malfunctioned at Pleasurewood Hills in Lowestoft, Suffolk. The incident occurred on Monday, during a Bank Holiday weekend, when the Wipeout rollercoaster, known for its high-speed twists and drops, came to a sudden halt. The family, including Stewart’s partner Joseph Bowman and their four daughters, were among 27 people stranded on the ride, which had stopped approximately 15 meters above the ground. The malfunction happened just before 1.30 pm, as the ride was in the process of changing direction. Passengers were left dangling in mid-air for around 10 minutes before staff attempted an emergency release. Instead of halting smoothly, the ride shot backward through its loops, causing panic among the passengers. Stewart recounted the chaos, describing how the ride’s manual release caused the carriage to reverse, leaving riders facing upwards and suspended in the air. She noted the emotional toll on her daughters, who were visibly shaken by the experience. Firefighters from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service responded swiftly to the situation, deploying aerial ladders and scissor lifts to rescue the stranded passengers. The operation took nearly three hours, with crews working carefully to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Images shared by the fire service showed passengers seated upright in their seats as firefighters climbed onto the ride to assist them. One passenger, 13-year-old Honey Purkiss, described witnessing the moment the ride reversed, noting the visible distress of the operator who handled the emergency release. The Wipeout rollercoaster, which opened in 2007, is described as the tallest, fastest, and most extreme ride in East Anglia. It is the only Vekoma Boomerang in the UK, featuring a unique design that includes a lift hill, a cobra roll, and a vertical loop. In 2024, the ride underwent a £1 million renovation, including the installation of a new train with waist restraint lap bars aimed at improving comfort and safety. Despite these upgrades, the recent incident highlights ongoing concerns about the ride’s reliability. This is not the first time the Wipeout rollercoaster has faced issues. In 2017, firefighters had to rescue an injured man after the ride malfunctioned during heavy rain. At that time, the man was freed using a cherry picker, and the incident was described as a minor problem by the theme park. More recently, in July 2024, the ride experienced a temporary stoppage, with passengers being evacuated within 22 minutes. A spokesperson at the time stated that the safety systems functioned as intended and that no guests were at risk. As the sun set on Monday, the 27 passengers were safely brought down to the ground, with no injuries reported. The incident has sparked discussions about the need for increased maintenance checks and emergency protocols for such high-adrenaline attractions. Pleasurewood Hills has yet to issue a public statement regarding the cause of the malfunction or any planned improvements. Meanwhile, the park continues to operate, offering visitors a range of other attractions amid the aftermath of the event.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 4 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

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6 reports

Daily Mirror logoDaily MirrorIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 808/30/2026
Man, 49, ‘seriously injured’ after incident on 147ft Batman rollercoaster in Madrid

A 49-year-old man sustained potentially serious injuries during an accident on the Batman Gotham City Escape rollercoaster at Madrid's Warner Park. The incident occurred on Saturday, August 30, 2026, when the man reportedly broke both legs after the ride's high-speed drops and twists. Emergency personnel responded swiftly, providing initial treatment before airlifting him to 12 de Octubre Hospital, where he was admitted in a potentially serious condition. The roller coaster was temporarily closed for investigation, with Spanish Civil Guard and local police involved. Witnesses described the emotional impact of the event, though the rest of the park continued operations. Park management confirmed they halted the ride immediately and followed emergency protocols.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual report of a non-political incident involving a theme park attraction. There is no indication of political bias or framing, as the focus is solely on the medical and operational aspects of the event. The tone and language remain neutral, avoiding any ideological slant.

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the incident involving the 49-year-old man injured on the Batman Gotham City Escape rollercoaster at Warner Park in Madrid. It includes details such as the type of ride, the nature of the injuries (open and closed fractures), and the response by emergency services. How

Why objectivity (80): The tone is neutral and factual, presenting the information without emotional bias. However, the article uses phrases like 'potentially serious injuries' and 'serious condition' which may carry some subjective weight, though overall it maintains a balanced approach.

BBC News (UK) logoBBC News (UK)State / PublicCenterFactual 60Objective 658/31/2026
Twenty-seven people rescued from rollercoaster

A rollercoaster at a theme park experienced a power cut, causing it to stop unexpectedly. Park visitor Richard Lines witnessed a worker attending to the ride, which became stationary. The ride later began moving erratically before stopping again, trapping 27 passengers. Firefighters used an aerial ladder to rescue the passengers, who were stranded for approximately three hours. No injuries were reported, according to the fire service.

Bias read (Center): The incident described is an accident involving a rollercoaster, which falls under the category of sports or entertainment facilities. There is no political charge involved, as the event does not pertain to government, politics, or public policy. The article provides a factual account of the event,赈

Why factuality (60): The article reports a different incident involving 27 people being rescued from a rollercoaster due to a power cut, not the injury incident described in the primary source document. It mentions a ride called 'Wipeout' and a rescue operation by the fire service, none of which align with the details i

Why objectivity (65): The article presents the information in a neutral tone, quoting a park visitor and citing the fire service. However, since it covers a completely different incident than the primary source, it lacks relevance to the actual event reported in the EuropaPress article.

Daily Mail logoDaily MailIndependentCenterFactual 60Objective 558/31/2026
Mother tells of terror after rollercoaster malfunction left her and her young daughters trapped 50ft in the air for HOURS

A mother and her two young daughters were left stranded 50 feet in the air for over two hours after a rollercoaster malfunctioned at a theme park in Suffolk. Stacey Stewart, 31, and her daughters Poppy and Marnie were part of 27 passengers trapped on the Wipeout coaster at Pleasurewood Hills. The ride halted mid-ride, and attempts to manually release it resulted in the carriage moving backward through its loops. Firefighters used cherry pickers to rescue the passengers, with some witnessing the chaotic event. One passenger described the operator’s reaction as horrifying when the system failed. The incident occurred on a bank holiday, highlighting safety concerns and the emotional impact on families.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a non-political incident involving a rollercoaster malfunction. There is no indication of political framing, ideological emphasis, or partisan sourcing. The focus remains on the event itself, with no attempt to align with any political agenda or ideology.

Why factuality (60): This article discusses a completely different incident at a different location (Pleasurewood Hills in Suffolk) involving a different rollercoaster (Wipeout) and a different set of circumstances. It does not align with the primary source document about the Madrid incident, making it factually inaccur

Why objectivity (55): The article presents the incident in a dramatic and emotionally charged manner, focusing on the fear and distress experienced by the mother and her daughters. While not overtly biased, the narrative style leans towards creating a sense of urgency and emotion, which affects objectivity.

Daily Mail logoDaily MailIndependentCenterFactual 60Objective 558/31/2026
Twenty-seven people are trapped on 'Wipeout' rollercoaster 50ft in the air for more than two hours at Suffolk theme park

On August 31, 2026, 27 people were trapped on the Wipeout rollercoaster at Pleasurewood Hills theme park in Suffolk, England, for over two hours after the ride malfunctioned. Firefighters from three stations responded to the incident, which occurred around 1:30 pm during a bank holiday weekend. The stranded passengers, including children, were suspended approximately 50 feet in the air before being rescued at 4:05 pm using aerial ladders and scissor lifts. No injuries were reported. This was not the first time the ride had experienced issues; in 2017, firefighters had to free an injured person after similar circumstances. The ride, which opened in 2007 and underwent a £1 million renovation in 2024/25, is known for its unique design featuring a cobra roll and vertical loop.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a sports-related incident involving a rollercoaster at a theme park, which is categorized under SPORTS per the guidelines. The subject matter does not involve politics, government, or public policy, thus resulting in a political charge of 0. As such, the lean is irrelevant and

Why factuality (60): This article covers a different incident at a different location (Pleasurewood Hills in Suffolk) involving a different rollercoaster (Wipeout) and a different set of circumstances. It does not align with the primary source document about the Madrid incident, making it factually inaccurate in relatio

Why objectivity (55): The article focuses on the rescue operation and the experience of being stranded, using descriptive language that emphasizes the emotional impact on the passengers. While informative, the tone is somewhat sensationalized, affecting objectivity.

The Independent logoThe IndependentIndependentCenterFactual 60Objective 558/31/2026
Dozens rescued after becoming stranded 50ft in air on Pleasurewood Hills rollercoaster

Twenty-seven people were rescued after becoming stranded on the Wipeout rollercoaster at Pleasurewood Hills theme park in Lowestoft, Suffolk. The incident occurred on Monday at around 1pm when the ride stopped, leaving riders suspended approximately 50 feet in the air. Firefighters used aerial ladders and scissor lifts to safely retrieve all passengers, with no injuries reported. The ride, which opened in 2007 and is described as the tallest and fastest in East Anglia, had previously experienced similar incidents in 2017 and July 2024. A spokesperson noted that the safety systems functioned correctly during the latest incident.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a sports-related incident involving a rollercoaster at a theme park, which is classified under SPORTS per the guidelines. The subject matter does not involve politics, government, or public policy, resulting in a political charge of 0. As such, the lean is irrelevant and set '

Why factuality (60): This article discusses a different incident at a different location (Pleasurewood Hills in Suffolk) involving a different rollercoaster (Wipeout) and a different set of circumstances. It does not align with the primary source document about the Madrid incident, making it factually inaccurate in rela

Why objectivity (55): The article presents the incident in a dramatic and emotionally engaging manner, emphasizing the danger and the rescue efforts. While not overtly biased, the narrative style leans towards creating a sense of urgency and emotion, which affects objectivity.

Daily Mirror logoDaily MirrorIndependentCenterFactual 60Objective 558/31/2026
Dozens trapped 50ft up on Wipeout rollercoaster at Pleasurewood Hills as fire crews rush to scene

Firefighters successfully rescued 27 passengers who were stranded 50 feet (approximately 15 meters) above the ground on the Wipeout rollercoaster at Pleasurewood Hills theme park in Lowestoft, Suffolk. The incident occurred on Monday, August 31, 2026, when the ride unexpectedly halted mid-track. Emergency crews used an aerial ladder and scissor lift to safely retrieve all passengers, with no reported injuries. The Wipeout rollercoaster, which stands over 40 meters tall and is considered East Anglia's largest and most extreme ride, had undergone a £1 million renovation in late 2024-2025. Riders were stranded for nearly three hours, and the event coincided with extended operating hours during the summer season.

Bias read (Center): The article covers a non-political event related to a theme park and rollercoaster malfunction. There is no indication of political framing, bias, or discussion of governmental policies, elections, or social issues. The focus remains purely on the operational and safety aspects of the amusement ride

Why factuality (60): This article discusses a different incident at a different location (Pleasurewood Hills in Suffolk) involving a different rollercoaster (Wipeout) and a different set of circumstances. It does not align with the primary source document about the Madrid incident, making it factually inaccurate in rela

Why objectivity (55): The article focuses on the rescue operation and the experience of being stranded, using descriptive language that emphasizes the emotional impact on the passengers. While informative, the tone is somewhat sensationalized, affecting objectivity.

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