Yahoo News Thorpe Park's 236ft high Hyperia rollercoaster having test runs after passengers were left stuck at the top
New Thorpe Park ride Hyperia - dubbed "the fastest rollercoaster in the UK'' - had a test run today (Sunday) after it broke, leaving passengers stranded at the top. The white-knuckle ride at the theme park in Surrey opened to much fanfare last month but it was shut after a day, with no reason given, and a new launch day of June 8.
But Hyperia hit trouble again on Saturday (June 15) when the ride broke and those on board were stuck on one of the peaks. The rollercoaster is 263ft at its highest point, its track is 3,265ft long, and the 20 person passenger trains can travel as fast as 81mph.
One member of the public said today (Sunday) on social media they watched a "test" run and said it "did not get stuck, which is a good sign". Mirror Online said "thrill seekers aboard the roller coaster appear to be stuck at the apex of the ride, with no way to get back down". It said the ride had been shut and the area cleared while staff and engineers attempted to free those stuck aboard.
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One park goer said: “A guy went up with a harness spoke to them and came back down. They’ve now closed the ride. It has been open/closed all morning and they have evacuated the whole ride area.”
The breakdown has been discussed on social media, with one person on X saying: “Hyperia stuck again with people on it. Been there for over an hour now. One of the staff making their way up to give them a bit of lunch.”
Another added: “Hyperia been stuck on lift hill for 15 mins now.” It is unclear how soon those aboard will be rescued from the stuck ride.
Just weeks ago, thousands of people attended the theme park to celebrate the opening of the new rollercoaster. However, less than 24 hours later, the park announced "due to unforeseen circumstances", Hyperia would be closed until at least May 29.
According to Thorpe Park, Hyperia is the UK’s tallest, fastest and most weightless rollercoaster. It reads: “Towering above the iconic Thorpe Park skyline stands an all-new marvel of engineering: Rising high above the landscape at an extraordinary 236ft, this magnificent masterpiece of steel beckons thrill seekers from far and wide to ‘Find Their Fearless’.
“With over 995 meters of twisted track and speeds exceeding 80mph, inspired by the legendary daughter of an ancient River God who dared to defy her fears, Hyperia is not just a rollercoaster - it’s a tribute to the powerful potential within each of us. You’ll feel weightless, fearless, invincible.”
Thorpe Park has been contacted by the Mirror for comment. There is no statement on its website or on social media today (Sunday)
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