British Airways i360 in Brighton tower closes after passengers trapped

A 450ft-high vertical cable car in Brighton has been closed after passengers became trapped in observation pod twice in a matter of days.

Two hundred customers were locked into the British Airways i360 for over an hour yesterday after the doors broke and would not open.

It was the second time in less than a week that passengers have been stuck after a "technical hitch" caused 180 customers to be suspended in the air for two hours on Thursday.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was called and two fire engines were sent to rescue passengers, including a heavily pregnant woman, who were stuck on board for about two hours.

The ride was due to open as normal on Monday after engineers attended to the fault, but now customers are being turned away as “specialist technicians” conduct further checks on the 360 degree viewing platform.

A statement in the i360 website said: “British Airways i360 will close today while specialist technicians conduct further checks on site.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Customers who have booked tickets for flights today will be offered alternative visits or refunds.”

The structure, designed by London Eye architects, opened on August 4 and is the thinnest of its kind on the planet.