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New State Fair Ride Shut Down For The Day After Stalling Again

Stratosphere
(credit: CBS)

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (WCCO) -- It hasn't exactly been a smooth debut for a new ride at the State Fair.

The Stratosphere ride, which is new to the fair in 2012, stalled out on the very first day of the fair, leaving a number of riders suspended in the air for nearly a reported 45 minutes on Thursday afternoon. And after stalling again Friday morning, it will be shut down for the day.

Joe Bixler, of International Leisure Consulting, which is in charge of all fair ride inspections, said they are trouble-shooting the issue. And that involves communicating with the ride's manufacturers in Holland, he said.

The Stratosphere is the only such ride in the world, Bixler said.

The ride is a giant circular swing which, when it works, whips fairgoers high above the fairgrounds at a height of nearly 200 feet.

According to reports, the ride has had trouble in the past even before arriving in Minnesota. Earlier this month, the Stratosphere stalled out at the Wisconsin State Fair. Riders there were left dangling for 30 minutes.

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