Eight rollercoaster riders were left stranded 100 feet in the air above a terrifying near-vertical drop after a ride malfunctioned at a Texas amusement park.
The frightening incident happened Thursday evening at Galveston’s Pleasure Pier, where the Iron Shark rollercoaster came to a sudden stop near the top of its 100-foot vertical lift hill.
The passengers were stuck high above the pier for more than four hours as firefighters worked to rescue them one by one.
Dramatic photos from the scene showed emergency crews climbing ladders and scaling the ride’s track to reach the trapped riders. The coaster car had become stuck at around 5 p.m. local time, leaving passengers suspended just before a 90-degree drop.
The stranded riders were STEM students from Houston who were visiting the park as part of a senior trip.
Galveston Fire Department crews arrived shortly after 5:30 p.m. and began the difficult rescue operation. Firefighters used a tower truck ladder to reach the riders, securing each person in a safety harness before carefully guiding them down.
Local TV footage showed crews working high above the ground as the sun began to set.
The final rider was safely brought down shortly after 9 p.m., according to Fire Chief Mike Varela Jr.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported. The passengers were checked for dehydration after spending hours stuck in the heat.
The cause of the malfunction has not yet been determined.
The Iron Shark is the tallest rollercoaster on the pier and can reach speeds of up to 52 mph when operating normally. According to the Pleasure Pier website, riders must be at least 42 inches tall to get on the attraction.
Pleasure Pier chief operating officer Terry Turney said the ride’s emergency stop system worked the way it was supposed to when the malfunction happened.
“The ride experienced a malfunction at its initial ascent. However, as designed, it immediately stopped to keep everyone safe,” Turney said.
He said the park’s focus immediately shifted to getting the passengers off the ride safely.
“Therefore, we contacted the Fire Department to assist, ensuring all guests were safely removed from the ride,” he added.
Turney said the Iron Shark will undergo a full inspection before it is put back into service.
I would die from panic. I wish I enjoyed roller-coasters and thrill rides, but I’ve never been able to tolerate them. I don’t like heights and the loss of control. THIS incident would’ve done me in. No. Just NO!