What should have been a fun day out instead spelt disaster this week for two holidaymakers on a Blackpool funfair ride. Late on Wednesday night the arm of the Crazy Frog ride on Central Pier collapsed, putting its 15 passengers in serious danger.

One girl became trapped in the carriage that had been attached to the broken arm, and had to be freed by fire-fighters attending the scene. She was left with leg injuries, whilst another woman was struck by shrapnel from the crash. Both were in need of hospital treatment.

Lancashire fire-fighter Mark Warwick said that when his unit received the call, “we feared the worst,” – but, luckily for the bewildered tourists, most of the passengers emerged safely.