20 people rescued in Galway after getting trapped in big wheel

Last night, 20 people were brought to safety after getting trapped in a Ferris wheel at the Galway Christmas market.

The amusement which suffered a technical difficulty Friday evening stopped turning at approximately 6pm, shortly after the park opened. Members of the public remained trapped on the ride until 9pm before being saftely lifted out of the amusement by emergency services.

People are trapped on a big wheel at Galway Christmas market pic.twitter.com/ptdUgPaXZY

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) November 17, 2017

Local councillor Padraig Conneely told the Independent.ie that he was unaware at what was initially going on before it became apparent that the wheel had broken down. "There were a lot of people on it when it stopped. I'm sure it was very frightening for people having to be rescued by a cherry picker."

The Big Wheel at the Christmas Market in Galway is stuck ... with people on it pic.twitter.com/pyoFTEOBr4

— Enda Cunningham (@endacunningham) November 17, 2017

In order to remove people from the big wheel, each cab, where passengers sat had to be brought down to ground level and this process took time.

The big wheel is stuck in Eyre Square on the opening night of the Christmas Market.... pic.twitter.com/utfnmdzOca

— Kieran O Malley (@GalwayPlayer) November 17, 2017

All involved were assessed by the paramedics and it is reported that nobody suffered any sustainable injuries. Further investigations on the attraction are currently underway.