Eight people trapped 100 feet in the air were rescued after four hours of being stuck on a Texas roller coaster in a harrowing ordeal. <\/p>\n
The fire department was called after riders were stuck facing upwards on the Iron Shark roller coaster at Pleasure Pier in Galveston just after 5 p.m. local time on May 28. The ride experienced a \u201cmalfunction on its initial ascent\u201d and immediately stopped \u201cto keep everyone safe,\u201d according to a statement by the amusement park. <\/p>\n
Witnesses captured the dramatic incident on video as firefighters worked to rescue riders who were stuck facing upward at 100 feet in the air. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe had to be very careful, especially with the rescuers we had in the basket at the time,\u201d Galveston Fire Department Chief Mike Varela Jr. told reporters in a press conference May 28. <\/p>\n
Fire department personnel used a tower truck with its basket extended to its full length of 105 feet to retrieve the riders over the course of four hours. Varela Jr. said at the press conference that no one was injured. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey are providing them direction on what to do, where to step, how to come down on that ladder all the way through down the ladder until they get down on the ground,\u201d Varela Jr. said at the press conference. <\/p>\n
The riders were identified by Houston Independent School District officials as students on a field trip organized by the charter schools Energized for STEM Academy Middle School and STEM Academy High School, according to NBC affiliate KPRC<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cWe are thankful for the rescue efforts of the first responders and park personnel,\u201d the district said in a statement. <\/p>\n