‘The Beast’ back in action at the PNE after breaking down mid-ride

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – One of the rides at the Pacific National Exhibition is back up and running this weekend after breaking down mid-ride earlier in the month.

The Beast, which swings people 12 storeys into the air like a pendulum, broke down just days before the PNE opened, showering riders with oil and prompting repairs.

Laura Ballance, a spokesperson for the PNE, says the ride is back in action.

“It opened yesterday and our staff did a fantastic job replacing the part and the gearbox,” she says. “The ride passed all of its safety inspections and is back into service.”

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She says a part inside the gearbox broke, so the entire box was replaced.

“Any time that we feel that there is an issue, we run it through very comprehensive safety testing that combines independent ride safety consultants, our own team and Technical Safety BC,” Ballance says. “The ride was fully signed off, which is great news because it’s one of our most popular rides.”

She adds plenty of people were ready to get on The Beast as soon as it re-opened.

All rides are inspected annually by Technical Safety BC and third-party safety consultants, Ballance says, adding Playland and PNE staff also inspect each ride daily before opening.

The PNE runs until Sept. 2.

With files from Dean Recksiedler.