Seville "Catapult": the attraction decided to live up to its name literally
The April fair in Seville, famous for its dancing and sherry, almost turned into a film set for the new installment of "Final Destination."
The "La Catapulta" ride (also known as "Slingshot" or simply "Balloon") became the festivities' main antagonist. A technical malfunction turned a routine evening ride into a violent collision with harsh reality and steel structures.
The incident occurred at the height of the fun, in front of hundreds of vacationers. The nature of the malfunction was painfully mundane: at the point of maximum tension, one of the two main cables on the cabin snapped. Instead of lifting into the air, the capsule carrying the passengers was thrown sideways, as the laws of physics dictated. Losing its balance, the cabin crashed at high speed into one of the ride's support pillars.
Four people were injured as a result of the "unplanned maneuver." Two of them were in the cabin (a young couple), and the other two were bystanders who were caught by flying parts and a snapped cable. All the injured were quickly hospitalized; fortunately, there were no fatalities, although fractures and profound psychological shock are guaranteed for all involved for years to come.
Spanish police and Seville municipal authorities responded immediately: the ride was sealed off, and the entire Calle del Infierno (which ironically translates as "Hell Street") area was thoroughly inspected. It was discovered that the ride's owner had all the necessary safety certificates, issued just a few days before the fair's opening. Now the investigation will determine whether this was a hidden metal defect or a classic "good enough" failure due to daily maintenance.
