A family of four had to be rescued in St. Louis, Missouri, after the Six Flags Sky Screamer ride they were on got stuck with them 120 feet in the air for almost three hours.
Around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, the ride abruptly malfunctioned and came to a stop while the family – two adults and two kids – were riding the Sky Screamer, a spinning swing attraction that peaks at 236 feet, a Six Flags representative told KARE News.
Six Flags officials called emergency personnel in to help after their initial attempts to manually lower the swing ride failed.
“We were unable to lower the swings manually, so, per safety protocol, the fire department was notified and called in to unload guests off the ride,” Six Flags spokeswoman Elizabeth Gotway told the Leader. “A park representative stayed up with the guests during the process and first responders were able to get them safely unloaded.”
On two separate trips, rescue crew members hoisted technicians to the stranded riders, fastened them in safety belts, and lowered them to the ground.
“Six Flags had a ride malfunction, and 99 percent of the time they are able to resolve that on their own, but they were unable to last night,” said Eureka Fire Chief Scott Barthelmess. “There is a high-angle tower rescue package, a grouping, that’s sent up to dispatch people who are trained on it. That group was dispatched because of the specialty equipment needs and the like.”
Everyone reportedly stayed composed during the ordeal
According to park officials, the riders stayed composed while waiting for assistance after first responders deployed a crane to reach them. Rescuers brought down the two teens first, then the parents. None of the riders required medical attention, according to Barthelmess.
“The family that was up there was absolutely amazing,” a Six Flags spokesperson said. “They were so calm. They had great attitudes.”
Six Flags officials added that the weather made the rescue more difficult due to strong winds blowing through the area. However, rescue personnel said they had trained on this specific ride only a year ago, so they were prepared.
“We completed the rescue at about 8:24 p.m. and the storm came in right after at about 8:50 or 9 p.m.,” he said.
Park officials said they are still looking into the cause of the malfunction.
“Every single day, our maintenance tests it. Our ride operators test it every day,” a Six Flags spokesperson said.