Galveston coaster halts; multi-hour rescue removes riders
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Galveston: On Thursday evening the Iron Shark roller coaster at Pleasure Pier malfunctioned and stopped near the top of its 100-foot vertical lift, leaving eight riders stranded; witnesses and station live feeds indicate the ride halted around 5:21 p.m., and emergency crews were called and arrived shortly thereafter to begin rescue operations.
Galveston Fire Department used Tower 1 and a 105-foot ladder bucket to evacuate riders over several hours; by about 8:30 p.m. six riders had been lowered, and all eight — identified by abc13 as Houston ISD students — were described as anxious but unharmed. Pleasure Pier issued a statement saying the ride stopped as designed and that officials are investigating.
More context
Timeline
- 1. ~5:21 p.m.: Live feeds indicate the Iron Shark stopped near the peak of its 100-foot lift.
- 2. Shortly after: Galveston authorities received reports and dispatched fire crews and Tower 1.
- 3. Evening hours: Crews secured riders with safety harnesses and used a 105-foot ladder bucket and tower truck.
- 4. ~8:30 p.m.: Six riders had been lowered; operations continued for remaining riders.
- 5. Afterwards: All eight riders were removed, Pleasure Pier and authorities announced an investigation and reviewed procedures.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the importance of safety measures at amusement parks. If you're planning a trip, check the park's safety record and emergency procedures. It's worth knowing that well-designed rides, like the Iron Shark, are built to stop in case of malfunction.
Sources
JQJO Editorial Desk · Human reviewed · AI assisted. Report a correction.
