ISSUE NO. 1624
18 - 24 August 2016
COSTA DEL SOL
YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION
WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM
Tivoli World terror ride Thrill-seekers at the Tivoli World theme park in Benalmadena got more than they bargained for on Tuesday August 16, when a fault on the iconic Torre de Caida Libre ride, which slowly rises to a height of 60 metres before freefalling back to earth, led to the machine failing to slow down at the top of its ascent. A problem with the upper anchorage of the tower caused the ring of seats holding 12 riders to climb at a much faster speed than normal. It then careered into a metal stanchion at the top before an emergency brake had to be applied as it plummeted towards the ground. Five people were treated for whiplash while seven oth-
ers suffered bruising, and a number of others were in shock after the attraction slammed to an abrupt halt. Those taken to hospital were released after treatment. The injured included one EWN reader, his wife and two children. “I expected it to stop at the top before the freefall, but all I can remember is an almighty crash and the whole thing shook like hell, then I felt the pain in my legs. “During the descent I was in agony, and all of us now have severe thigh and shoulder pain... it was terrifying for the kids. “We went in the first ambulance alongside a lady on a stretcher, but we had to wait
Photo Credit EWN
40 minutes for it to arrive.” An official report will be prepared into the incident once the cause has been investigated. The Torre de Caida Libre will remain out of action until further notice.
Tivoli World opened its doors in 1972 but has been plagued by controversy in recent years having changed hands on several occasions, while in January this year the park was sanctioned for nonpayment of social security.