Firefighters rescue 8 riders stuck on Galveston roller coaster for 3 hours
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Eight riders were suspended near the top of a towering roller coaster for more than three hours before firefighters rescued them one by one at a Texas amusement park, authorities said.
The Galveston Police Department said authorities responded to Pleasure Pier in Galveston around 5:35 p.m. Thursday, where the Iron Shark roller coaster had broken down.
Officials said eight people were on board when the vehicle became stuck.
The Galveston Fire Department used a ladder truck to remove trapped passengers one by one using seat belts; This process took approximately three and a half hours to complete.
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The Iron Shark roller coaster broke down during its first climb, trapping eight riders high up on the pier. (FOX 26 Houston)
The malfunction was recorded live by local television stations, with passengers trapped near the top of the vehicle’s 30-foot vertical lift hill.
The Houston Independent School District confirmed that some of the drivers were students participating in a field trip hosted by Energized for STEM Academy Middle School and Energized for STEM Academy High School, two HISD in-district charter schools, FOX 26 Houston reported.
“We are grateful that all students, staff, and chaperones are safe. The school administration is in direct contact with the families of all students who participated in the trip. We are grateful for the rescue efforts of first responders and park staff,” the district said in a statement. he said.
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Firefighters used a ladder truck and seat belts to rescue passengers one by one from the stalled roller coaster. (FOX 26 Houston)
Officials did not say what caused the ride to malfunction.
“The ride experienced a malfunction on its debut,” Pleasure Pier COO Terry Turney said in a statement. he said. “But it was immediately stopped as designed to keep everyone safe.”
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Eight passengers were stranded atop the Iron Shark roller coaster for more than three hours after the ride broke down at the Galveston Pleasure Pier. (Galveston Fire Department)
“Our focus immediately shifted to the safety of our guests,” Turney continued. “Therefore, we contacted the Fire Department to ensure that all guests were safely removed from the vehicle.”
Turney said the vehicle will undergo a thorough inspection before returning to service.
