Dozens stranded hundreds of feet above the River Thames as cable car between Olympic venues breaks

Dozens of travellers were left suspended 300ft above the River Thames today when a new cable car system linking two Olympic venues broke down.

More than 30 cars, carrying around 60 people, came to a halt due to a technical problem with the Emirates Air Line at 11.45am.

The £45 million system, opened last month, links the 02 Arena in Greenwich - where the Olympic basketball and gymnastics are taking place - with the ExCel exhibition centre in London Docklands, which is hosting boxing and a number of other events.

Eventually, the cars moved again and passengers were able to reach the system's terminals after a hold-up of around 30 minutes.

One passenger, Alastair Owens, tweeted: "London Emirates cable car has broken down and we're dangling mid-air over the docks - seem to be evacuating.

"Can see cable cars closest to ground have been evacuated, but we in mid-air are being told nothing. Come on Emirates. If we require any assistance we have to press the emergency button. Do you think they would bring me a coffee?"

Later he tweeted: "Emirates cable car turned out to be great school holiday mini adventure - greeted with apologies and water as we landed."

Danny Price, head of Emirates Air Line, said: "The Emirates Air Line is now back up and running after experiencing a technical fault at 11.45am.

"All passengers were safely back in the terminal by 12.18pm and water and first aid were made available to them. We would like to apologise to anyone affected."

Dubai-based airline Emirates is sponsoring the cable car for 10 years in a £35 million deal.

PA