Terrifying moment 'Magic Carpet' ride at Michigan festival comes loose from its base as fairgoers rush in to prevent it from tipping over

Terrifying video captured the moment a fairground ride at a Michigan festival almost ended in tragedy as the entire construction seemed to come loose while people were on it.

The Magic Carpet ride was in full swing when its base suddenly appeared to detach from its support with the entire unit almost toppling over at the Traverse City's National Cherry Festival on Thursday night.

In a scene that could have come straight from a horror movie, those on the ride didn't know anything was amiss until there was a huge clatter of metal.

A Magic carpet ride at a Michigan festival seemed to come lose from its base

The ride could be seen on the cusp of toppling over as it became unbalanced

Video posted to social media shows the ride's operator dashing for cover after hearing sounds he knew were not good. 

All the while, the pendulum on the ride continued to swing.

It's not clear if there was an emergency stop button, however no sooner had the operator jumped from the platform, the ride began tipping over at an angle.  

Other fairgoers rushed to the ride's railings in order to try and produce a counter-balance and stop the the Magic Carpet from from topping over entirely.

Onlookers screamed in horror as they realized what appeared to be unfolding before their eyes, while other rushed to cling onto the side.

Some onlookers screamed in horror as they saw what was happening

The ride's scary malfunction was posted to social media in several videos

Others rushed to the base of the ride in an attempt to provide counterbalance The ride is no longer being used and has been sent back to manufacturers

The quick-thinking undoubtedly helped steady the structure which remained upright until the pendulum slowly stopped spinning and finally came to a halt. 

The ride, which had been in operation for six days of the festival, is no longer being used.  

'Inspections of the rides happen daily and written reports are filled out and completed on each ride every morning prior to operation,' said the festival's executive director, Kat Paye.

'I am grateful for the quick response of staff and community members and very thankful that there were no injuries.' 

The ride is heading back to the manufacturer in an attempt to determined what caused the fault.

'It was a scary situation and we're very fortunate… all of the patrons as well as the operator and the other customers that were around the ride are all safe,' Joey Even, the company's office manager, told The Daily News.  

People could be seen rushing to the side of the ride to stop it keeling over

Anyone who was nearby suddenly rushed to the side of the ride to stop it from toppling over

Fairgoers can be seen clinging to the side of the ride to stop it tipping over

People who were standing around raced to the side in an attempt to keep the ride steady until it came to a stop