Eight people — reported to be students from Energized for STEM Academy Middle and High Schools — were rescued after the Iron Shark roller coaster at Pleasure Pier in Galveston stalled about 100 feet in the air on May 28. Fire crews arrived shortly after the call and lowered each rider one by one using safety harnesses and a truck-mounted basket. All passengers were brought down safely, and a full inspection of the ride is now underway.
Eight Students Rescued After Iron Shark Roller Coaster Stalls 100 Feet Above Galveston Pier
Photo by: Ron Buskirk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Eight people were safely brought to ground after the Iron Shark roller coaster at Pleasure Pier in Galveston, Texas, stalled about 100 feet above the pier on May 28. The stoppage occurred during the ride's initial ascent and prompted an immediate emergency response to ensure the safety of everyone onboard.
Rescue Operation
Pleasure Pier Chief Operating Officer Terry Turney said the coaster "immediately stopped to keep everyone safe" when the malfunction occurred, and staff called the fire department just after 5:00 p.m. local time. Fire crews arrived at the scene around 5:30 p.m. and executed a methodical rescue.
“However, as designed, it immediately stopped to keep everyone safe. Our focus immediately shifted to the safety of our eight guests,” Turney said. “Therefore, we contacted the fire department to assist, ensuring all guests were safely removed from the ride.”
Rescuers fitted each rider with a safety harness, placed them into a truck-mounted rescue basket and lowered them to the ground one at a time. Fire Chief Mike Varela Jr. praised his team's calm, professional approach, noting their efforts to reassure passengers throughout the operation.
“Once they made it up there, they were able to use their skills to calm everyone down and reassure them that the equipment being used would keep them safe,” Varela said. “Those crews were top-notch today. I can’t say enough about them. They’re well trained; they’re ready to go when called upon.”
Passengers And Conditions
The Houston Independent School District told NBC News that the passengers were students from Energized for STEM Academy Middle School and Energized for STEM Academy High School. Video of the incident showed passengers suspended face-up on the coaster’s near-vertical incline. Rescue crews monitored the group for sun exposure and dehydration while they were stranded and reported that the riders were shaken but relieved once they reached solid ground.
Ride Details And Next Steps
According to Pleasure Pier, the Iron Shark reaches speeds up to 52 miles per hour and features a 100-foot vertical drop. Turney said a thorough inspection of the ride is underway to determine the cause of the malfunction. Pleasure Pier and local emergency crews expressed gratitude for the smooth coordination that led to a safe outcome.
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