Two men have been seriously injured after falling from a Ferris wheel at a popular Christchurch-based music festival just hours after the new year began.

The incident unfolded at the Rolling Meadows festival at Bottle Lake in Christchurch, Hato Hone said.

The men were reportedly swinging on the ride before they fell.

Hato Hone St John’s Event Health Services team provided medical assistance after the incident occurred about 2.10am.

“Our Event Health Services crew responded, along with two ambulances and two rapid response units from our emergency ambulance service.”

The spokesperson said St John ambulance staff treated two people in a serious condition and transported them to Christchurch Hospital.

Event Hire, which operates the ride, said the incident involved three men during one of the event’s final rides.

Event Hire director Phil Anderson said all patrons were checked before boarding the ride “to ensure they are fit to ride safely”.

The operator said they saw the men swinging the bucket they were sitting in during the ride, according to a statement from Event Hire.

The operator then “immediately told them to stop as it was against the safety rules”.

“As the operator began the process of stopping the ride and safely unloading all occupants, the bucket, which the men had made swing, tipped and they fell out,” Anderson said in the statement.

He said Event Hire notified WorkSafe of the accident and had also launched an independent engineer to undertake a full technical review of the equipment involved.

“The safety of our riders and the public is our absolute priority. Our rides operate under clearly displayed safety rules and are overseen by trained staff, including measures to ensure patrons are fit to participate,” Anderson said.

In Christchurch, police said behaviour mainly was good, with no issues at the Hagley Park concert and only minor incidents at the Rolling Meadows Festival.

The Rolling Meadows music festival took place from December 29 to 31.