8 Rescued After Roller Coaster Malfunction Left Riders Suspended 100 Feet Above Ground for Hours
Eight roller coaster riders have been brought to safety.
After a malfunction caused the Iron Shark roller coaster at Pleasure Pier in Galveston, Texas to come to a stop 100 feet in the air May 28, all eight riders were rescued following the hours long ordeal.
The fire department was called just after 5:00 p.m. local time after the ride experienced a “malfunction on its initial ascent,” chief operating officer of Pleasure Pier Terry Turney said in a statement, per NBC News. “However, as designed, it immediately stopped to keep everyone safe. Our focus immediately shifted to the safety of our eight guests.”
He added, “Therefore, we contacted the fire department to assist, ensuring all guests were safely removed from the ride.”
Fire Chief Mike Varela Jr. said crews arrived around 5:30 p.m. to rescue the riders, where one by one they were placed in safety harnesses and guided into a truck basket, which then lowered them to the ground.
“Once they made it up there, they were able to use their skills to calm everyone down,” Varela said of the rescue team, “and reassure them that the equipment being used would keep them safe.”
