Children stranded on rollercoaster

Source: News Corp Australia Network:

June 29, 2016 at 21:02

EMERGENCY crews have rescued as many as eight children who were stranded on a rollercoaster perched precariously about 25m from the ground.

The incident unfolded on the Silver Bullet rollercoaster at the Frontier City theme park in Oklahoma City in the US. The ride, which was opened in 1986, is Oklahoma’s tallest rollercoaster.

8 people trapped on rollercoaster about a 100 feet off the ground at Frontier City. Crews are assessing how to safely remove them.
— Oklahoma City Fire (@OKCFD) June 29, 2016

The city’s fire department said crews took their time trying to find a way to safely remove the ride’s passengers. Most are thought to be between the ages of seven and 15 and got stuck on the rollercoaster during the late afternoon on Wednesday, US time.

TV footage has shown rescue crews picking their way through the ride’s cars which appears to be suspended at the one of the rollercoaster’s highest points.

At about 5.15pm, the children were placed into safety gear and taken down one by one from the coaster.

#BREAKING: Firefighters working to free eight people trapped on roller coaster in Oklahoma City. #9News https://t.co/g94jgfDtxd
— Nine News LA (@9NewsLA) June 29, 2016

A statement from the theme park, reported on NBC news channel KFOR, said the incident began at 4.20pm when the ride stalled.

“Due to the position of the stalled train, the back half of the cars were able to be evacuated by park personnel. The fire department had to be called to evacuate the guests in the front cars,” the statement read.

“Guest safety is Frontier City’s top priority. As soon as each guest has been evacuated from the Silver Bullet, a thorough investigation into the reason the ride stalled will take place.”

All eight people have now been rescued with no injuries reported, the Oklahoma City Fire Department confirmed.