Thrill-seekers walk down UK's biggest rollercoaster after it breaks down AGAIN

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It's the third time this year that the dizzying thrill-inducer stopped mid-ride

THIS is the terrifying moment thrillseekers were forced to walk down a terrifying 72-metre high rollercoaster after it halted halfway up.

Scary snaps show dozens of punters gripping the railings as they shuffled off The Big One at Blackpool Pleasure beach today - on the first day of the Easter weekend.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s flagship rollercoaster The Big One broken down mid-ride eiqetidzuixrprw
Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s flagship rollercoaster The Big One broken down mid-rideCredit: MEN Media
Pictures taken from outside the theme park show a car stuck halfway up the attraction’s ascent
Pictures taken from outside the theme park show a car stuck halfway up the attraction’s ascentCredit: MEN Media

The horror at 235ft unfolded at 10.30am when witnesses said the 74mph ride stopped because of a "technical problem".

Nobody was injured in the incident.

It is unclear how long the ride was closed for afterwards.

Alton Towers conference centre evacuated as worker reports 'unusual smell'Alton Towers conference centre evacuated as worker reports 'unusual smell'

A spokesperson for Blackpool Pleasure Beach said: "The Big One rollercoaster stopped today (March 29) around 10.30am, towards the top of the lift hill.

“There was a minor technical problem and the safety system on the ride worked exactly as it should, and stopped the train on the lift as a precaution. 

“Following our normal process, trained operators walked all riders safely down the steps, which were built for this purpose. 

“This process took approximately 40 minutes and the ride is now back in operation.”

Today’s break-down is the third time this year the infamous coaster has malfunctioned.

On April 24 the rollercoaster halted in mid air - forcing riders to clamber down by foot . 

And on April 11 the dizzying thrill-inducer was stopped mid-ride as bad weather rolled in.

Staff scrambled to rescue the high-speed carriage fans and guide them down steps that line the inclines.

A spokesperson said at the time: "Due to high gusts of wind the Big One rollercoaster closed for the remainder of the day."

The two incidents are not the first that has plagued the record-breaking attraction.

Inside creepy abandoned amusement park that closed after boy lost his armInside creepy abandoned amusement park that closed after boy lost his arm

Last May thrill seekers were left stranded when the ride completely stopped - forcing staff to scale The Big One.

And just two months after opening in 1994, 26 people were injured when the breaks on one carriage failed and it ploughed into another train.

A second collision in 2000 injured 16 when the brakes also failed.

Sarah Grealish

Blackpool, Theme parks, Easter 2024

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