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A theme park worker has been sacked for activating a rollercoaster while a colleague was performing a safety check - leaving her clinging for her life as the ride spun 42ft into the air.

Teenager Sasha Higgins was carrying out a routine seatbelt check on the Twister ride at Lightwater Valley theme park when it suddenly started up.

The terrified youngster screamed for help as she was spun around in the waltzer style carriage, only to hear her fellow ride operator - who had turned the ride on for a joke - laugh at her.

Sasha, from Catterick, north Yorkshire, told the Darlington and Stockton Times: "Luckily another ride attendant heard me and stopped the ride, but I was up there for what felt like about half an hour before I got down.

“I was completely traumatised and have been signed off work by a doctor for stress – fortunately I wasn’t physically hurt but I was absolutely terrified and still feel shaken by it.”

(Image: psyclonesteve/Youtube)

A spokesman for the theme back, in Ripon, said: "We sincerely apologise to the member of staff for what happened.

"We have always been and continue to be committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of all our visitors and employees.

"The fully trained, experienced, senior ride operator involved was immediately dismissed after the incident.

"We will not tolerate behaviour that puts any of our visitors or employees at risk."

In 2001, student Gemma Savage died when two cars collided on the ride, then known as the Treetop Twister.

Park owners and ride manufacturers were fined a total of £155,000, after it was discovered wiring on the ride was faulty.

The electrician responsible for maintaining the ride was fined £2,500.