An amusement ride full of people got stuck several stories above the ground at Adventureland on Long Island, setting off a rescue operation that stretched on for hours. Crews worked carefully to bring everyone down from the stranded ride. By the time it was over, all of those on board had been removed safely.
The incident unfolded at the amusement park in East Farmingdale, where what was supposed to be a night of fun turned into a night of anxiety. The ride is called the Wave Twister, manufactured by Res Rides and branded as the first of its kind in the world. It features two 10-passenger spinning gondolas that sweep along an L-shaped figure-eight track, and children as small as 36 inches are allowed to ride when accompanied by an adult.
Those caught on the ride spanned a wide range of ages. According to the reporting, the oldest person on board was 40 years old, while the youngest was just 5. The rest of those stranded were children between the ages of 8 and 12.
There was a large emergency response, with ambulances kept on standby so paramedics could check the children once they were down. Firefighters used ladders and harnesses to guide the young riders down one at a time, working slowly and carefully given the height. Those waiting their turn sat with their legs dangling as the operation went on.
Down below, families waited anxiously as the hours passed. One mother, who did not want to be shown on camera, said her daughter was left traumatized after being stuck for hours, describing crying children and others grimacing while dangled in place. With children among those stranded high above the ground, the wait was an agonizing one for parents at the scene.
In a statement, Adventureland said that for more than 60 years it has enjoyed a proud record of safety and guest satisfaction. The park said it understood the concern of the riders and families involved and would work with its ride consultants to fully assess what happened. Until that review is complete, the ride will not be in service.
Some parents told Eyewitness News that this was not the first time the ride had problems, with at least one saying their child had previously been briefly stuck on it. In the end, everyone was brought off the Wave Twister safely after being stuck for hours. The drawn-out rescue ended without the night turning into something far worse for the families who had gathered at Adventureland.