Centripetal force is inward perpendicular-to-tangential force *required* for an object to orbit a static reference point.
More than likely in that scenario the centripetal force required to maintain orbital motion was not being supplied by friction between the structure (roundabout merry-go-round thingo) and the body - resulting in orbital motion ceasing, and the occupants entering into a straight line motion (highly tangential to the orbit - but in most real circumstances, not quite).