Updated
Updated · KTRK-TV · May 29
Galveston Rescuers Free 8 HISD Students From 100-Foot Iron Shark as Ride Malfunctions
Updated
Updated · KTRK-TV · May 29

Galveston Rescuers Free 8 HISD Students From 100-Foot Iron Shark as Ride Malfunctions

17 articles · Updated · KTRK-TV · May 29
  • Eight Houston ISD students on a school field trip were rescued Thursday night after spending hours stranded on Galveston Pleasure Pier's Iron Shark roller coaster.
  • The ride stopped at about 5:21 p.m., and firefighters were called at 5:37 p.m.; Landry's said a malfunction triggered the coaster to stop as designed.
  • SkyEye13 footage showed the amusement park closed during the operation while Galveston Fire Department positioned Tower 1 on the pier to remove the riders safely.
  • HISD said all students, staff and chaperones were safe and that school administrators were in direct contact with the families.
  • Pleasure Pier's owner said the Iron Shark will undergo a thorough inspection before returning to service.
What is owed to riders for the psychological trauma of a high-angle roller coaster rescue?
With no federal oversight, how can amusement park visitors verify the safety of any given ride?
When a ride's safety stop traps riders for hours, has the system truly succeeded or failed?