WATCH: Thrill-seeking tourist hangs around for 90 minutes on zip-line adventure

South Africa is known for having some of the best zip-lines in the world. From the Cape Canopy Tour in Elgin to the dizzying thrills of the Zip 2000 in Sun City, adrenaline junkies have no shortage of places to scream their lungs out while soaring above valleys and mountains.

The Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour in the Eastern Cape offers an unforgettable glide through indigenous forest, while the Karkloof Canopy Tour in KwaZulu-Natal lets you coast through the treetops in misty bliss. Lekker stuff – until it all comes to a sudden halt.

Now imagine you’re zooming through the sky, the wind in your face, heart racing, when suddenly, you stop. Dangling mid-air with nothing but your harness and a birds-eye view of the earth far, far below. Scary stuff, right?

A Spanish man found himself suspended more than 60 metres above the ground for over an hour and a half after his ride stopped unexpectedly in the middle of a rocky canyon.

The terrifying incident took place at the Presa de los Caballeros Via Ferrata zip-line, in Spain, a popular destination for hikers and adventure lovers.

Emergency services were called in, and dramatic footage shows the man hanging from a harness, with firefighters perched on a suspension bridge above him, preparing to carry out a technical rescue.

Firefighters had to manoeuvre to access the man from above, positioning themselves between 15 and 20 metres above him.

Eventually, they hoisted him up to safety, and fortunately, he was unharmed and did not need medical attention. The Provincial Fire Consortium of Malaga later confirmed that the operation was a success.

Now, you might be wondering: how on earth does something like this happen?

Well, there are a few possible reasons. Mechanical failures can sometimes lead to abrupt halts, especially if pulleys or braking systems jam. Strong winds, especially in mountainous areas, can also interfere with a ride’s smooth progress.

And in some rare cases, riders may come to a stop because they’re too light to generate enough momentum to reach the other side, particularly on longer zip-lines.

This is why it’s crucial to follow the safety instructions given before each ride. Keeping your legs up, for instance, helps reduce drag and ensures you maintain a streamlined posture  which can be the difference between making it across or getting stuck mid-way.

Most tour guides will also instruct you on how to hold the harness properly and what to do in case of an emergency stop.

So next time you’re gliding through the air in South Africa’s stunning landscapes, remember: keep your legs up, your wits about you, and say a little prayer that gravity stays on your side.