Security guard crushed to death by ‘Hangover’ fairground ride at Oktoberfest in Munich after being hit by 260ft tower

NewsWorld News A SECURITY guard has been crushed to death by a gondola on a towering 260ft free-fall ride at Munich’s Oktoberfest. Horrified witnesses watched as the 52-year-old worker was struck by the descending carriage of the “Hangover” attraction shortly before 10pm on Monday. A security guard has been crushed to death by a gondola on a 260ft free-fall ride Credit: Harrisons Horrified witnesses watched as the 52-year-old worker was struck by the descending carriage of the “Hangover” attraction Credit: Harrisons His death unfolded at the world-famous beer festival, which draws millions of revellers to Munich every year. Police believe the Serbian national had entered a restricted area beneath the attraction before being hit and crushed by the plunging gondola. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The Hangover sends thrillseekers soaring high above the packed Oktoberfest grounds before hurtling them back towards the ground. Emergency crews rushed to help the injured guard at the scene before taking him to a Munich hospital. But the worker could not be saved and later died. The area surrounding the ride was immediately sealed off as emergency services swarmed the festival. Witnesses who saw the fatal accident were offered support from a crisis intervention team. Police said none of the passengers aboard the attraction were in danger during the incident. Most read in The Sun Criminal investigators have now launched a probe into how the tragedy unfolded. Cops are appealing for witnesses and have particularly asked anyone who captured the horror on camera to come forward. Police believe the Serbian national had entered a restricted area beneath the attraction Credit: Harrisons The worker could not be saved and later died in hospital Credit: Harrisons Munich mayor Dominik Krause said: “My thoughts are with the family of the deceased man and the employees of the amusement ride. “I thank the emergency services for their quick intervention.” The death cast a shadow over the opening days of the 191st Oktoberfest, which only kicked off on Saturday. More than six million revellers typically descend on Munich for the world-famous beer festival, which runs until October 4. Around 600 cops and hundreds of security workers are deployed across the vast festival grounds. The guard’s death comes after another terrifying ride incident rocked the festival just two days earlier. Around 40 thrillseekers were left dangling upside down in the air after the “Predator” attraction suddenly ground to a halt. The stranded passengers were reportedly trapped for a gruelling seven minutes before the ordeal ended. Emergency services rushed to the scene but passengers had already managed to disembark from the ride. A handful of people complained of experiencing mild dizziness and circulation issues due to being suspended. Comment now