Major tourist attraction evacuated as man ‘with bomb’ clings to Ferris wheel

A MAN has been taken into custody after he climbed a Ferris wheel in California while claiming to have a bomb, cops said.

Terrified parkgoers were on the ride at Santa Monica Pier in California on Monday when the man starting scaling the metal Ferris wheel.

Witnesses heard the suspect say that he had a bomb before he began climbing the wheel at around 3.30pm local time, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.

The famed Santa Monica Pier was evacuated as cops warned the public to avoid the area.

“Our officers are currently evacuating Pacific Park and the pier and our Crisis Negotiation Team is contacting the subject who appears to be in crisis,” the department wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Pictures on social media showed the man, dressed in a T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers and wearing what appeared to be a backpack, clinging to the metal beams of the ride.

It’s unclear what led him to climb the Ferris wheel.

A crowd of stunned onlookers was seen standing on the pier as rescuers brought in tall equipment to evacuate people from the ride.

They were stuck on pods high in the air as negotiators worked to convince the man to come down.

At 4.30pm local time, Santa Monica police reported that the man was in custody and the investigation was ongoing.

Video showed him in handcuffs as first responders checked him over for injuries.

Cops later said that no bomb was found and the pier reopened.

The Pacific Wheel is the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel, according to the Santa Monica website.

The ride gives visitors a panoramic view of the Southern California coastline from above the iconic pier.

“Measuring 85 feet, the wheel moves at 2.5 revolutions per minute with intermittent stops to pick up passengers,” the website says.

“[It] features more than 174,000 energy-efficient LED lights that display dynamic, eye-popping computer-generated lighting entertainment in the evenings.”

According to state and manufacturer’s guidelines, single riders are prohibited on the Pacific Wheel.

Santa Monica Pier is 1,651 feet in length and 301 feet in width.

It houses a small amusement park, concession stands, and areas for sightseeing and fishing.

Pacific Park is the only amusement park directly located on the West Coast of the US and is the only admission-free park in Los Angeles.

It has been featured in more than 500 movies and TV shows including Hannah Montana, 90210, Forrest Gump, and was parodied in the hit video game, Grand Theft Auto V.