Eight students were stranded on a rollercoaster dangling 100 feet in the air for four hours before they were rescued by firefighters.
The Iron Shark roller coaster of Galveston, Texas’ Pleasure Pier malfunctioned on Thursday evening, leaving the group of students from Houston facing straight up just before the peak of the ride’s famous 100-foot drop.
The pier was evacuated and firefighters extended a massive ladder and carefully brought down each student one by one in a harness, KHOU reported.
They were all safely on the ground around 8:30 p.m. — roughly four hours after they had gotten stuck.
Galveston Fire Chief Mike Varela said the students were rattled by the experience, but were otherwise doing well.
“Of course they were shaken up from climbing that ladder down, being in that hot sun,” he said. “They have been checked for dehydration and everyone seems to be doing pretty good.”
The eight riders were all students from Houston Independent School District on a field trip organized by two charter schools, Energized for STEM Academy Middle School and STEM Academy High School, ABC 13 reported.
“We are grateful that all students, staff, and chaperones are safe. School administration is in direct contact with the families of all students who were on the trip,” the district said in a statement. “We are thankful for the rescue efforts of the first responders and park personnel.”
Terry Turney, chief operating officer of Pleasure Pier, confirmed an unknown issue triggered the emergency stop.
“The ride experienced a malfunction at its initial ascent, however, as designed, it immediately stopped to keep everyone safe,” Turney said in a statement.
“A thorough inspection of the ride will take place before it is placed back in service,” he added.
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