A RIDE at Gulliver's World remains closed after children were stuck 20 feet in the air when a wheel came off.

An investigation has been launched by the Health and Safety Executive following the rollercoaster crash at the Old Hall theme park on Saturday.

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There has been no indication of how long the ride will be closed for but the park will open as normal this weekend.

A rescue operation was carried out after the wheel came off the Crazy Train rollercoaster on Saturday.

Seventeen children and adults were stuck at the top of the ride approximately 20ft in the air.

Those figures have lowered from those initially given by the fire service on Saturday.

Firefighters were called at 1.20pm and worked for three hours while everyone was removed from the ride.

Scheduled maintenance work in the Crazy Train last took place in May

A HSE spokesperson said: "HSE is investigating this incident. As our investigation is ongoing we are unable to comment further.

"We don’t put timescales on our investigations as they are all unique and depend on the individual circumstances and the evidence being gathered."

A police spokesman confirmed there were no casualties and there was no suggestion of anything criminal.

Fire crews from Warrington and Lymm worked with theme park staff and paramedics to rescue those who were stuck.

Firefighters used ladders to help get to the people trapped on the ride which was approximately 20ft high up.

They secured the carriages to ensure they were stable.

A scaffolding tower was then built and those trapped continued to be freed and brought to safety.

The line rescue team set up a twin line lowering system to rescue three people.

Mark Bushell, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service group manager, said: “The team at Gulliver’s World were really on the ball. They executed their emergency plan immediately and were already putting the scaffolding up as we were getting our equipment ready.

"They were a fantastic help and worked closely with us and the paramedics at the scene, culminating in a really successful outcome with no reported injuries.”

After more than two hours, five people were still stuck on the ride, including a seven-year-old with asthma.

Her mum, Sarah from Liverpool, told the Warrington Guardian her daughter needed her asthma medication handed up to her.

She said: "My daughter has had nebulisers passed up for her asthma. She has been stuck there for two hours and 10 minutes.

"It has been horrible. There were five people still on the ride. Kids are traumatised."

Nearby residents reported hearing the sound of falling metal and screams.

A Gulliver's spokesman said the team were on hand to support those involved immediately and remain in contact with them.

Gulliver's World had to pay out £170,000 following the death of a disabled child in 2002.

The theme park giant admitted two counts of breaking health and safety rules following the death of Salma Saleem, who had down's syndrome.

She fell to her death from a Ferris wheel ride at the park.