Scream if you want to go higher! The world's highest swing ride opens in Texas to take thrill-seekers up to 400 FEET in the air

The Texas SkyScreamer sends people 400ft up in the air, while spinning at 35mph

PUBLISHED: 19:13 EST, 25 May 2013 | UPDATED: 10:49 EST, 26 May 2013

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The world’s tallest tower swing ride, which sends those foolhardy enough to get on-board a whopping 400 feet up in the air, was officially opened on Saturday at the Six Flags Over Texas amusement park in Arlington.

The Texas SkyScreamer allows up to twenty-four riders to sit in open-air swings while spinning in a 124-foot circle at speeds up to 35mph.

At its 40 story peak - and if the riders still have their eyes open - they can see not only Arlington, but also Dallas and Fort Worth.

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Prepare for the ride of your life: The world's tallest tower swing ride sends those foolhardy enough to get on it a whopping 400 feet up in the air

Everything bigger in Texas: The ride was officially opened on Saturday at the Six Flags Over Texas amusement park in Arlington

'Cowboy' Chris from station 94.9 KLTY braves the ride

Head for heights: One of the first people to try out the new ride was 'Cowboy' Chris from local radio station 94.9 KLTY

At its 40 story peak ¿ and if the riders still have their eyes open - they can see not only Arlington, but also Dallas and Fort Worth.

At its 40 story peak riders can see not only Arlington, but also Dallas and Fort Worth

‘We are thrilled to add the tallest swing ride in the world to our premier line up of rides and attractions,’ said Steve Martindale, park president of Six Flags Over Texas.

‘It offers the most unique ride experience for an attraction of this kind, and also lives up to the Texas mantra that everything is bigger in the Lone Star state!’

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There are seven SkyScreamer rides located at theme parks throughout the U.S. but this latest one dwarfs the competition, the next tallest is in Georgia and is a mere 242 feet tall.

Due to the far greater height though, riders are spun at a reduced speed of 35mph compared to the usual 43pmh.

The Texas SkyScreamer allows up to twenty-four riders to sit in open-air swings while spinning in a 124-foot circle at speeds up to 35 mph

Six Flags Over Texas is now open for daily operation and continues through August 25

Six Flags Over Texas New Ride is a record breaker

There are seven SkyScreamer rides located at theme parks throughout the U.S. but this latest one dwarfs the competition, the next tallest is in Georgia and is a mere 242 feet tall

All the rides follow the same tried and test formula, riders are carried aloft in two-person swing-like chairs attached to a rotating gondola mounted on a central tower.

When the gondola reaches the top of the tower, riders are swung in a wide circle at its fastest speed, while offering expansive views of the local countryside.

One of the first people to try out the new ride was ‘Cowboy’ Chris from local radio station 94.9 KLTY, he later posted footage on YouTube showing his reactions to the death-defying ride.

Six Flags Over Texas is now open for daily operation and continues through August 25.

When the gondolas reaches the top of the tower, riders are swung in a wide circle at its fastest speed, while offering expansive views of the local countryside

Texas swing ride sends thrill-seekers 400 FEET in the air

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Not in my life :-)

- Janette4468 , Stockport, 27/5/2013 20:03

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This is NOT the world's highest swing ride. Check out the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas.. A 350 METRE tall tower with a complete amusement park at the top including roller coaster.

- Peter Brown , Bristol_UK, United Kingdom, 27/5/2013 15:48

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My fingers are sweating typing this...no way...!!

- LiveWell , Dublin, Ireland, 27/5/2013 14:19

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Mental!

- LiveWell , Dublin, Ireland, 27/5/2013 14:18

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Absolutely no way you would get me on that ....... feel sick looking at it !

- Suzanne , Swindon, 27/5/2013 08:47

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There is one of these at Knotts in California. When the seats are down, you can see the mechanics, and they are not only chains holding the seats on. They also have a very strong mechanical arm which also has further bolts etc. and what look like chains, are not only chains. however, there is NO way I would get on it.... The one in California broke down a couple of times, and the last time I believe the riders had to wait up there for 4 hours. I absolutely know, I COULD NOT sit up there.... In fact you wouldn'tt even get me on it!

- Now in USA , California, 27/5/2013 06:14

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I *think* those flimsy chain links are only to keep chair stable, and don't bear that much weight. There appears to be a thick cable connecting the chair assembly to the anchor point. If all 4 of those chain links (both passengers) were to break, presumably the chair would terrifyingly point straight down, but since they probably don't have much load on them that seems unlikely. No way insurance would sign off if those chains were bearing the load, for the weakest link reason.

- Colin Kurtz , New York, United States, 27/5/2013 04:40

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I WOULD RATHER JUMP INTO AN ENCLOSURE FULL OF PLAGUE INFESTED BABOONS THAN GO ON THAT TERRIFYING DEATH TRAP !!

- Male Online , Earth, United Kingdom, 27/5/2013 03:56

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I mean honestly, thrill seeking in the spirit of "we only live once, live life to the fullest", well okay, I agree with all that to the "fullest". However, those slim chains with those rather small screws & nuts attached to the chair do not look at all like they can handle much weight. Of course, I am certainly not an engineer, yet I think common sense with normal 20/20 vision, anyone can see that the support for the chair looks minimal... eeeeeeeks! I bet there will be fatalities eventually.

- SheZinFiniTy , San Diego, United States, 27/5/2013 03:18

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i would poop my pants :o(

- Steve , Yarm, 27/5/2013 03:00

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