Two riders were left dangling about 130 feet above COTALAND at Circuit of the Americas after the Circuit Breaker tilt coaster stopped on Dec. 17. A publicist said the men were stranded nearly an hour and family members received conflicting updates from staff. Austin-Travis EMS responded, evaluated one adult who declined transport, and authorities released the guests that night. COTA said a sensor-triggered delay caused the stoppage and the ride later resumed.
Tilt Coaster Malfunction at COTA Leaves Two Riders Dangling 130 Feet
Catalina Sanchez; Jay Janner/The Austin American-Statesman via GettyL: Two riders stuck on the Circuit Breaker 'tilt' roller coaster; R: The Circuit Breaker roller coaster in Texas.
Two men were left suspended roughly 130 feet above the ground when the Circuit Breaker tilt coaster at Circuit of the Americas' COTALAND stopped mid-ride on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Catalina SanchezTwo men are left "stranded" on the Circuit Breaker roller coaster at COTALAND in Texas.
What Happened
The ride reportedly halted at 8:52 p.m., leaving 24-year-old Matthew Cantu and 20-year-old Nicholas Sanchez hanging at about a 90-degree angle. A publicist for the riders said relatives received little information for more than 30 minutes and that staff gave conflicting explanations, including an apparent comment that the riders 'weren't strapped in currently.' The publicist said the men were 'stranded nearly an hour' before they were freed.
Catalina SanchezAuthorities respond to two riders stuck on the Circuit Breaker roller coaster at COTALAND in Texas.
Timeline and Response
According to the publicist's timeline, a staff member first reached the riders around 9:09 p.m. and cited a 'sensor pin malfunction.' Concerned family members placed a 911 call; Austin-Travis EMS said it received an EMS request at 9:31 p.m., arrived at 9:42 p.m., and cleared the scene at 10:11 p.m. after evaluating one adult who declined transport. Local media reported the guests were released by authorities at about 10:04 p.m.
Jay Janner/The Austin American-Statesman via GettyThe Circuit Breaker 'tilt' roller coaster at COTALAND in Texas.
Health And Safety Notes
The publicist reported that Cantu experienced lightheadedness and symptoms consistent with blood pooling while suspended, and that Sanchez felt numbness in his upper leg. Austin-Travis EMS confirmed it evaluated one adult at the scene who refused treatment and transport.
Cedar Point/YouTube
Park Statement And Context
A COTA spokesperson told local media that the ride experienced a malfunction caused when a sensor triggered a delay, and that staff resolved the issue and the ride 'proceeded without incident.' The park noted occasional delays can occur on attractions and added that about 25,000 people have ridden the coaster so far.
Similar Incident
Earlier this year, a tilt coaster at Cedar Point paused on its tilt section during opening day and left riders suspended for just under 10 minutes. Video from that incident showed maintenance staff tilting riders back into a horizontal position before operations continued; Cedar Point said the coaster's safety systems performed as designed.
Bottom Line: Authorities attended the scene, riders were safely released the same night, and COTA attributes the stoppage to a sensor-related delay while officials and the publicist provided differing accounts of the timeline and communications.
