In a strongly-worded statement, Wolfgang Richter, president and CEO of HUSS Maschinenfabrik, has said that the free-fall tower involved in an accident in Korea last weekend was not manufactured by HUSS.

"Though the ride is similar in appearance to the popular HUSS free-fall tower, Shot'n Drop, the construction of the HUSS tower is completely different."

Richter continued: "We have never tolerated nor supported the use of our technical data by third parties and we have always advised against buying rides from unqualified suppliers."

All HUSS amusement rides are constructed in close co-operation with the Technical Inspection Agency (TÜV) of Germany, and only approved for use after extensive testing and inspection.

The German ride manufacturer felt compelled to speak out after receiving several enquiries about the recent accident.

According to The Korea Times, two firefighters sustained serious injuries when they fell from a gondola while helping to rescue riders suspended in the air on the ride in Sochon, South Chungchong Province. It reports that 15 people were stuck 27 metres above the ground on a ride called Gyroscope for more than two hours on 21 March.

The accident took place as a team of firefighters at the park tried to reach the riders using a gondola connected to an electric ladder, which was attached to a rescue vehicle.

It appears that the ride suddenly moved and the gondola overturned, tipping the rescuers out. The two injured firefighters were taken to a nearby hospital and are said to be in a critical condition. All 15 passengers on the ride were rescued safely and without injury.

Police are now carrying out an investigation into the accident.