Thrills, spills and bills for German fairground victims

German thrill-seekers say they have been taken for a ride after being charged for calling the fire brigade to free them from a fairground carousel. The 14 people had been enjoying a ride on Berlin's Star Gate when the large spinning wheel jarred to a halt 15m (50ft) above the ground.

They were reportedly left hanging for 45 minutes before being rescued. But the ride's operators said the fire brigade was not needed and have refused to pay the call-out cost.

That has reportedly left each of those rescued facing a bill of 280 euros (£250). "We have been punished enough,"39-year-old Thorsten W, who was on the ride with his wife and son said.



"Our son never wants to go on a carousel again. And now we have to pay almost 850 euros? Never!"

But the ride's operators say the situation was under control and they had not called the emergency services. "We didn't need any help, and therefore we will not cover these costs," Ron Agtsch said.

Berlin's fire service is investigating the incident, but has defended its actions. "This is not the fire brigade being cheeky or nasty," spokesman Stefan Fleischer said. "We performed a service, and... the people rescued are now being billed."