The Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans gave 10 patrons a shock when they were plunged into the shark tank during an after hours tour.

The visitors, including four children, were standing on a feeding platform used by keepers when it collapsed and they found themselves swimming with turtles, stingrays and sharks. The water level was about 3ft below the edge of the glass tank, so those inside had to wait in the water until they could be rescued.

Although two were taken to hospital for minor cuts and bruises, none was seriously harmed. A spokesperson said that the sharks were probably just as scared as the visitors.