Drama as firefighters rescue boys from fairground ride

THREE boys were trapped for almost an hour when a funfair ride jammed.

Firefighters couldn’t free them from their seats because the safety braces wouldn’t open.

The drama at the funfair on the Hills Meadow car park in Caversham began at about 4pm on Sunday when the arms of the Ramba Zamba ride stuck solid. The boys were trapped in their seats almost at the top of the ride, about 4m in the air.

Their families watched as fairground staff climbed up behind the attraction in a vain attempt to free them.

Three fire engines were called to the scene, including a mobile platform which was raised so a firefighter could reach the boys.

However, the restraints would not budge. Other firefighters raised a set of ladders and a member of the funfair staff climbed up behind the ride and balanced on one arm to try to release the restraints without success.

The firefighters then gingerly manoeuvred the platform so as not to crush the boys’ feet.

Eventually the firefighter at the top retrieved one boy, aged eight, who had to squeeze under the restraints on to the platform. Then the other boys — a pair of brothers — managed to squeeze out and the platform was lowered to the ground, bringing the boys to safety.

The youngsters smiled with relief and the mother of the youngest boy hugged him in tears.

The brothers were given a wad of free ride passes by a staff member who then whisked the family away.