Aussie theme park rocked by second incident in a week
Written by admin on August 27, 2024
More than a dozen people are trapped on a ride at Sea World, marking the second time thrillseekers have been left trapped on rides at the popular theme park just this week.
It is understood there are 13 people trapped on the Vortex ride, which stopped about 2.45pm Tuesday.
“We are experiencing a ride stoppage on one of our rides this afternoon,” a spokesperson said.
“We have communicated with all of them and they are safe and in good spirits.”
The Queensland Fire Department and paramedics are at the park on standby.
Footage from 9 News shows the riders suspended in the air in their seats, while a cherry picker is on site to collect them off the ride.
The ride invites thrillseekers to “twist, turn and spin like never before” 15 metres above sea level.
It reportedly reaches speeds of 30km/h and rotates 360 degrees, with the minimum height and age to go on the ride being a respective 140cm and 10 years old.
The incident comes less than a week after dozens of riders were evacuated from the Leviathan roller coaster at SeaWorld.
The ride was stopped about 2.30pm on Thursday August 22 after a sensor activated.
Riders were assisted off by park staff, with the company saying this was “proof” their systems worked effectively.
Opened in 2022, Leviathan was the centrepiece of Sea World’s $50 million The New Atlantis precinct and travels at speeds of up to 80km/h.
According to Sea World’s website, the 909m wooden roller coaster track was constructed using close to 200,000 metres of timber.
In a statement posted to social media, Sea World said guests were safe on the ride “at all times”.
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“Earlier today, the Leviathan at Sea World had a stoppage due to a ride sensor activation,” the message reads.
“At all times throughout the stoppage, the guests were safe and our team were in constant communication with them. The guests on board exited the ride from the safe stop zones with the help of our team.
“The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our highest priority and ride stoppages are proof rides systems and operators are doing as they are designed and trained to do to keep our guests safe.”
