Post by CoasterCrazy.com.
TAMPA (FOX 13) - Dozens of passengers aboard the Sheikra roller coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay had to be rescued from the ride after it became stuck on the tracks high in the air Thursday afternoon.
A park spokesman told FOX 13 that 64 people were stuck on the ride for about an hour. The view from SkyFOX showed park rescue teams helping each rider out of the ride's car, which was stopped just before the top of the ride's 200-foot-high initial hill.
Steps next to the coaster were being used to walk people down from their precarious perch. There was also a cart brought up next to the coaster with chairs, apparently to bring riders down without requiring them to walk the steps.
Photo Sheikra roller coaster stuck; passengers rescued
Mercifully, a nearby storm stayed away from the park, sparing the stranded riders from having to cope with a soaking rain as they waited.
Not long after 6 p.m., all of the riders had been rescued. No injuries had been reported, park officials added.
It was not immediately clear why the ride had gotten stuck.
A park spokesman told FOX 13 that 64 people were stuck on the ride for about an hour. The view from SkyFOX showed park rescue teams helping each rider out of the ride's car, which was stopped just before the top of the ride's 200-foot-high initial hill.
Steps next to the coaster were being used to walk people down from their precarious perch. There was also a cart brought up next to the coaster with chairs, apparently to bring riders down without requiring them to walk the steps.
Photo Sheikra roller coaster stuck; passengers rescued
Mercifully, a nearby storm stayed away from the park, sparing the stranded riders from having to cope with a soaking rain as they waited.
Not long after 6 p.m., all of the riders had been rescued. No injuries had been reported, park officials added.
It was not immediately clear why the ride had gotten stuck.
Credit Fox 13