FALCON HEIGHTS  (AP) - A ride at the Minnesota State Fair malfunctioned Thursday, stranding 24 people about 100 feet off the ground for 40 minutes.

The ride is called the Stratosphere. It looks like a tall tower, with swings hanging from branch-like extensions. The seats go up and down while the tower spins.

State Fair spokeswoman Brienna Schuette says the ride has several components on the tower. As the swings were descending, a latch did not engage properly and the ride's safety system kicked in. That stopped the ride when the passengers were about 100 feet in the air.

All the riders were brought to safety.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved)

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