Children are trapped 35metres in the air after a carnival ride malfunctioned - before finally being freed by rescue workers
- Two children became trapped on a carnival ride 35metres in the air on Saturday
- The freestyle swings ride malfunctioned at 2pm at the Chants Summer Carnival
- Fire Rescue Victoria brought in crane and cherry picker to free the children
- Another two children were rescued but were slightly closer to ground level
Rescue crews have freed four children trapped on a carnival ride 35m in the air after the attraction malfunctioned.
Emergency crews were rushed to the scene at Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre for the Chants Summer Carnival in Geelong, south-west of Melbourne about 2pm on Saturday.
Two children were suspended mid-air and two more were trapped closer to the ground when the Freestyle ride broke down.
A crane has been brought in to rescue four children on a carnival ride at Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre for the Chants Summer Carnival in Geelong
Fire Rescue Victoria worked alongside the SES, CFA, Victoria Police, WorkSafe and carnival management in a three-hour rescue operation.
A crane and a cherry picker were used in the high angle rescue to lower the children safely to the ground one by one.
'The two children suspended 35m in the air were safely returned to the ground at 4.30pm,' Fire Rescue Victoria said.
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'The remaining two children who were suspended several metres in the air though significantly closer to ground level were freed at 4.53pm and 5.06pm respectively.'
Paramedics assessed the children at the scene where all four were unharmed.
Carnival goers watched the rescue unfold from the carpark after they were evacuated during a temporary shutdown.
Carnival goers watched the rescue unfold from the carpark after they were evacuated during a temporary shutdown.
The Freestyle swings rotate in circles at a high speed, launching thrill-seekers high into the air.
WorkSafe Victoria is investigating the cause of the malfunction.
