CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — It’s not the thrill ride they expected. A fun day at Carowinds turned scary after riders got stuck on a rollercoaster for close to 45 minutes Friday.

A man tells Queen City News he was on the “Flying Cobras” ride when it stopped moving.

“My very first experience at a theme park on a roller coaster,” said Brandon Allen. “And I got stuck.”

Of all the thrills and chills people get during a day at the amusement park, it’s certainly not the experience you hope for.

“I personally watched my tears fall from the sky,” Allen said. “It was terrifying.”

“We go to the very top where they’re backing you up, and he was doing a countdown,” Allen added. “He goes, ‘we are very sorry, but we are having technical difficulties,’ and we thought he was joking because of the surprise element or something.”

Brandon said the minutes of being stuck felt like hours.

“We were told anywhere between 35 to 45 minutes,” Allen said. “Which may not be major, but it’s a big deal when you’re just facing the ground completely.  There were parents trying to talk to their children screaming, ‘it’s going to be okay!'”

Carowinds released the following statement:

“On Friday, April 29, Flying Cobras, located in County Fair at Carowinds, had an unexpected ride stoppage on the lift. The park’s maintenance team responded quickly, and at no time were guests in danger. All guests were returned safely to the station and unloaded within 30 minutes. The safety and security of our guests and associates is Carowinds’ top priority.”

“I probably would’ve panicked a lot worse if not for them,” Allen said. “They did their best to keep everyone calm.”

Last month, riders got stuck on the ‘Electro Spin’ ride.  Brandon says that might be the scariest part of it all.

“It seems like this is happening so often now,” he said. “A few weeks ago, it was another one.  It’s almost like it continues to happen– and that’s what is so scary about it.”

Riders were each given two fast pass vouchers.

According to the Carowinds website, rides are licensed and inspected by the North Carolina and South Carolina Departments of Labor.

Carowinds associates on-site also monitor and inspect rides daily.