November 19th 2024.
On a sunny Monday afternoon at Knott's Berry Farm, a popular amusement park in Southern California, a malfunction on the Sol Spin ride left nearly two dozen riders suspended in midair for two-and-a-half hours. The ride, which consists of six rotating arms, suddenly stopped at around 2pm, trapping 22 guests in their seats.
A spokesperson for the theme park confirmed the incident, stating that all riders were safely rescued by 4:30pm following the manufacturer's and park's emergency protocol. However, two female riders were taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure, although they were not injured. The park staff handled the rescue operation while county fire officials were on standby.
The Sol Spin ride, with a height requirement of 54 inches, is described as a "thrilling adventure" on the theme park's website. It boasts of rotating guests in all directions on its six spinning arms, providing a unique experience every ride. However, the website also includes a lengthy list of safety details, emphasizing the importance of riders being able to support their upper body and maintain an upright and stable position.
This incident occurred almost a year after a similar incident at Universal Studios Florida, where guests on the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster were left dangling in a vertical position for nearly an hour. Fortunately, no one was injured and all guests were safely evacuated.
The Sol Spin riders at Knott's Berry Farm were finally released from their over-the-head seatbelts as the ride's six arms were slowly lowered to the ground. Aerial footage showed the guests being rescued and the ride coming to a complete stop. It was a tense situation, but thanks to the quick response and emergency procedures of the park's staff, all riders were brought to safety. As a precaution, the Sol Spin ride was temporarily closed for inspection before being reopened to the public.
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