Witnesses describe “terrifying” Christmas fairground ride collapse

A mother has described the terrifying moment a Christmas fairground ride in Birmingham crashed, injuring 13 people, including herself. The 180ft Star Flyer in Centenary Square plummeted on Thursday evening, sending two women to hospital while others sustained minor injuries. Lou Brown, from Solihull, suffered injuries to her face, legs, and arms, saying: “We were having fun, then it just crashed. It went backwards first, then dropped. I’m in shock—what if my kids had been on it?” Witnesses described screams of terror as gondolas tangled in wires and rescue teams sealed off the area. John Spence, who was at the fairground with his family, said: “The emergency services were incredible and calm.” The ride, operated by Danter Attractions, is described as “one of the tallest rides around” and has been closed pending investigation.