Video: 5 hour PGFD roller coaster rescue operation at Six Flags in MD
Authorities say 24 people stranded on a roller coaster have been rescued from near the top of the ride at Six Flags America in Maryland.
Prince George’s County Fire officials say it took about five hours Sunday to rescue 17 adults and seven children from The Joker’s Jinx roller coaster.
Assistant Fire Chief Paul Gomez says the riders were sitting upright. A few had cramps, back pain and dehydration, but there were no major injuries.
Two dozen people were rescued from a ride at Six Flags in Upper Marlboro, Md., Sunday evening, according to Prince George’s County Fire Department.
A train on the Joker’s Jinx roller coaster stopped on the track, about 45 feet from the ground, a spokesperson for Sixs Flags said.
A high angle rescue is needed. The Prince George’s County Fire Department is responding to this accident.
All 24 people on the ride are safe and not hurt, according to a spokesperson for Six Flags. Seven children and 17 adults are among those stuck on the ride, Prince George’s County Fire Department said.
The riders will be removed by using a bucket. As of 4:55 p.m. Sunday, crews were still gaining access to the trapped riders. The riders are being strapped in place within each car, authorities said. Each rider is being pulled out one by one.
As of 6:40 p.m., 14 riders had been rescued, according to authorities.
All riders were rescued around 7 p.m. Sunday.
It is not clear at this point what caused the ride to stop on the tracks, however the ride has a computerized safety system, according to a Six Flags spokesperson.
The Joker’s Jinx ride will not being open until an investigation is completed.
