FIREFIGHTERS had to rescue three people stuck 40ft in the air on a West Midland Safari Park rollercoaster on Sunday.

Paul Hinton, 21, his girlfriend, 20-year-old Elizabeth Bowen and their friend, Amy Tea, also 21, were trapped on the Twister for almost two hours after the ride ground to a halt.

Staff from the Bewdley attraction, who underwent training to deal with such a situation only last week, comforted the riders while waiting for the fire crews to arrive by handing them blankets to keep warm, food and hot drinks as winds lashed the car.

After initially investigating the scene, firefighters decided to ferry in a special turntable ladder from Worcester to safely carry out the rescue.

It was the third time the trio has taken a ride on the £750,000 rollercoaster, built by French manufacturer Reverchon in 1998.

Mr Hinton said: "We are all really grateful to everyone who looked after us and got us down. They could not have done any more for us.

"It was quite cold up there but it was not that bad.

"The only worrying thing about what happened was what if elderly people or someone that panics was stuck up there for two hours?"

All three were taken to Spring Grove House following the rescue to be warmed up and were offered free refreshments.

Safari Park managers apologised for the incident and promised the friends VIP treatment when they next visit.

Mr Hinton, of Kinlet Road, Far Forest, said: "We go about three or four times a year and this has not put us off. I do not think I will have too much trouble getting back on Twister again."

Alec Mackie, spokesman for Hereford and Worc-ester Fire and Rescue Service, said two crews from Bewdley and Stourport were called to the scene at about 3.45pm.

He added he did not know what caused the distinctive red, yellow and green Twister, which has nine four-berth cars on a 420-metre track, to stop operating.

A similar rescue was required in 2002 when three teenagers were stranded on the ride after a wheel jammed, activating its safety mechanism and bringing it to a safe stop.

Wendy Jackson, West Midland Safari Park spokeswoman, said: "We have no comment to make about the incident at this time."