This is the horrifying moment when a children’s fairground ride falls over, injuring 18 riders as they scream in terror.

The disaster – on the Fruit Flying Chair – took place in Hanzhong, Shaanxi province, China, on 27th July as families flocked to a fair for a fun day out.

But shocking footage from the event shows how the chair ride toppled over onto its side as terrified parents looked on helplessly.

As the ride begins to fall over, parents and children on the ride can be heard screaming in fear.

Then, as it crashes into the ground, parents can be seen rushing forward to pull stricken children from the wreckage.

Other videos show some adults picking through the wreckage, searching for their young ones.

Meanwhile, others try to haul the ride upright to free stranded riders.

Officials say 18 people who had been on the ride were taken to Liuba County Hospital.

One adult was diagnosed with fractures to the left humerus and ribs and was immediately transferred to Hanzhong Central Hospital for urgent treatment.

The remaining riders – three adults and 14 children – were found to have survived unscathed.

Sixteen were discharged the same night, while one adult remained in hospital under observation, suffering from shock.

Local authorities are reported to have opened an investigation into the incident.

Online commenter ‘iBaoKang’ wrote: “I was really frightened. Fortunately, the children did not have a major incident.

“How is this safety guaranteed? Is it because of quality problems or other reasons? Thorough investigation!”

While netizen ‘Mars left winger’ commented: “An adult was so frightened that he was hospitalized for observation, and the children went back to their respective homes. In the end is the adult too fragile, or our children are too strong.”