A nine-year-old Bay of Plenty boy - one of 13 thrill-seekers left hanging on a ride at Sea World on the Gold Coast after it stopped working last week - says he would ride it again.
The passengers were trapped on the Vortex ride at the Queensland park, which stopped shortly before 2.30 (local time) on Tuesday.
They were suspended approximately 15m in the air until being freed just under two hours later.
Among those on board was nine-year-old Uehoka Karauria, who was in Australia with the under 12s Putauaki Stags rugby league team.
From the team, there were two parents and around eight or nine kids stuck on the ride.
Speaking to Breakfast this morning, Uehoka said he was “not scared at all” while suspended in the air.
He said he was “angry” the ride had broken down, because “the first time I was riding it I enjoyed it, and I really wanted to ride it again”.
To pass the time, Uehoka said he and his teammates were singing, sleeping, doing the haka, and throwing mana waves to their families waiting down below.
Uehoka’s mum, Te Atawhai, said there was “nothing we could do really”.
“We just had to sit and watch,” she said.
She said the whole incident was “water off a duck’s back” for the kids.
“They came off, we were worried, they came off and just wanted to go and experience the rest of the park.”
Asked if he would ride the Vortex again, Uehoka said: “yes”.
SHARE ME