Futuroscope rescue drama

Description:

Eighty visitors to the region's top tourist park were rescued by pompiers yesterday afternoon, after the 45m high Gyrotour attraction became stuck 30m above the ground, according to La Nouvelle Republique.

Whilst some people were freed in two hours, it took a full 5 hours before the rescue was complete, with visitors required to abseil to the ground.

This was the first time since the attraction opened in 1989 that it has become stuck, but pompiers from Vienne and neighbouring Deux Sevres train for the eventuality each year, climbing to reach the passengers via an internal staircase normally used for maintenance.

The Gyrotour is like a giant flying saucer, which rotates whilst taking passengers to 45m high giving spectacular views of the surrounding area.  The attraction will be examined on Monday to establish the cause of the failure, and rescued visitors are to be offered compensation by the park.

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