VIDEO: California theme park riders suspended in air for over 2 hours
Nov 18, 2024
BUENA PARK, Calif. (KTLA) – Thrill-seekers at Southern California amusement park Knott's Berry Farm were unexpectedly stuck on one of the theme park's rides for over two hours Monday afternoon.
Video from Nexstar's KTLA showed what appeared to be the Sol Spin, which sends riders up to six stories in the air as they rotate independently on one of six spinning arms.
"Sol Spin is a high-speed spinning ride that rotates the riders in three directions simultaneously. Riders on the freely rotating, floorless gondolas gain a real sense of being airborne while suspended and flipping above the ground," the ride's information page reads on the Knott's website.
Stuck riders are seen suspended in air aboard the Sol Spin ride at Knott's Berry Farm on Nov. 18, 2024. (KTLA)Stuck riders are seen suspended in air aboard the Sol Spin ride at Knott's Berry Farm on Nov. 18, 2024. (KTLA)
Theme park officials confirmed to KTLA that the ride experienced a technical issue around 2 p.m. PDT, and maintenance workers were called to the scene to get the ride moving again so they could safely evacuate the riders.
By 4:30 p.m., workers successfully lowered the ride to the ground, and 22 trapped riders were able to disembark.
KTLA helicopter footage showed at least one person required a wheelchair while getting off the ride, but theme park officials later said no injuries were reported.
An official from the Orange County Fire Authority was dispatched to the Buena Park theme park, but the fire department said the incident was being handled by theme park staff.
This is a developing story.