Twenty-two thrill seekers were left suspended in midair for more than two hours after a technical malfunction on a Knott’s Berry Farm ride brought their fun to a screeching halt.
The Sol Spin ride experienced technical difficulties, causing the ride to stop mid-cycle about 2 p.m., a Knott’s Berry Farm spokesperson said in a statement. Amusement park staffers were able to safely evacuate all riders by 4:30 p.m. Two female riders were taken to a hospital for further evaluation “out of an abundance of caution,” the spokesperson said.
The ride consists of six swinging arms that soar six stories high and rotate 360 degrees, offering riders the sensation of spinning in three directions at once. When the ride froze, riders were left dangling at multiple angles.
Footage from ABC7 News helicopters showed amusement park staffers using a crane to perform repairs on the malfunctioning ride about 3:30 p.m.
Staffers were then able to lower the arms of the ride and evacuate the riders by 4:30 p.m., with several people limping away and at least one person escorted away in a wheelchair, according to KTLA-TV.
The ride is located in the Fiesta Village section of the Buena Park amusement park.
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