Theme park horror as sky-high ride breaks plunging riders to the ground and killing one
A SKY-HIGH daredevil ride suddenly broke apart and plunged dozens of people to the ground, killing at least one 19-year-old girl.
Uzbekistan: Shocking moment theme park ride BREAKS apart
A day of fun turned into a tragedy in an Uzbekistan theme park when a daredevil ride broke apart. Adrenaline-seekers at Istiklol park, in the city of Jizzakh, were strapped in and flung high in the air for a series of 360-degree swings.
But riders were caught off-guard when the metal pendulum arm with a counterweight balancing the giant open-air platform they were on broke in half and plunged them to the ground.
Uzbek officials confirmed one 19-year-old girl died, and identified her by her initials, MH.
However, officials didn't say whether other riders had been injured by the fall.
The deadly ride at Istiklol has been caught in a horrifying video which shows how the tragedy unraveled.
The metal arm can be clearly seen snapping in half without apparent reason.
As it breaks, the park's clients are left falling for metres and then crashing to the ground.
Uzbek officials and park's owner have yet to issue a statement regarding the reasons behind the deadly crash.
Jizzakh is 125 miles southwest of Uzbekistan's capital city Tashkent, and has been of vital importance throughout history for being a key staging post on the old Silk Road.
The amusement park is on the bank of the River Sanzar.
(Additional reporting by Will Stewart)