15 riders stranded mid-air for nearly 20 minutes on Ocean Park's Wild Twister

Fifteen thrill-seekers were left suspended high above Ocean Park on Saturday afternoon when the popular Wild Twister ride malfunctioned, trapping them for almost 20 minutes before staff safely brought them down.

The passengers experienced a brief but alarming ordeal at Hong Kong’s Ocean Park when the Wild Twister suddenly stopped shortly before 3 pm today.

The high-speed attraction, known for its giant rotating steel arm and spinning seats that deliver intense 4G forces from multiple directions, activated its automatic safety braking system due to a fault signal. 

The ride came to a complete halt, leaving all 15 riders suspended in midair.

Park staff responded quickly, following emergency procedures to reset the system and lower the ride’s cars back to the ground. 

By 3.16pm, all passengers had safely disembarked, and no injuries were reported. 

Witnesses said the group remained calm throughout the incident, though some appeared visibly shaken after the unexpected stop.

According to Ocean Park’s official website, Wild Twister is designed for maximum excitement, combining a massive windmill-style arm with individually spinning seats that twist and turn independently. 

The ride carries strict safety rules, requiring riders to be at least 137 cm tall and no taller than 195 cm.

In response to the malfunction, Ocean Park immediately suspended operations of Wild Twister for a thorough inspection and comprehensive testing. 

The park assured visitors that safety remains the top priority and that the ride will remain closed until engineers confirm it is fully operational again. 

The incident is under review as part of routine safety protocols.