12:43pm Friday 3rd July 2009
By Matt Westcott
THRILL-seekers got a shock they werent expecting when a lightning strike literally halted a rollercoaster in its tracks today.
The incident happened this morning at Flamingoland, near Malton in North Yorkshire.
Around 20 people, including members of a Belgian rollercoaster club, were on Kumali, described on the theme parks website as a "sensational showpiece looping suspended coaster", when lightning struck nearby.
The strike cut the power to the ride and they had to be winched to safety with the use of a diesel engine.
The Northern Echo had a reporter at the scene who said the riders were none the worse for wear, however there were a few tears when they eventually got off soaked from the subsequent rainstorm.
Where you on the ride? Contact Joe Willis at The Northern Echo on 01325-381313
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