Thrill-seekers excited to be on a Brooklyn roller coaster’s first run of the season got more than they bargained for Sunday when the Cyclone got stuck, leaving passengers stranded atop the wooden ride.
The season’s first 24 riders on the iconic Coney Island coaster were readying for the initial drop when the ride stopped moving about noon, witnesses said.
“I was on the ride with my friends and I was excited we were going up. We were really happy. And then it just stopped,” Peter Manjgaladze, 13, said.
“I thought it was just a joke, but once I saw the men running toward the ride, I got scared,” he said.
Passengers were stuck for about five minutes, said Alex Bessmertnov, 13.
“We were going up the slope and all of a sudden it stopped,” Alex said. “The employees came up and they took us out of the ride and led us down very slowly. They were very nice and very calm about it.”
Shaken-up riders had to walk down back down the incline the coaster had just climbed, using the planks of wood the structure is made out of as steps.
“It was a little bit scary because, since it’s wood, the whole ride was shaking,” Peter said.
He said witnesses and workers said the conveyer belt used to move the ride slipped off its track.
“People said this was the first time it ever happened,” Manjgaladze added.
“This was the first roller coaster I’ve ever been on, so it was absolutely terrifying,” Alex said. “I also have a fear of heights, so that made it worse. But, thankfully, we got down safely.”
A spokeswoman for Luna Park, which runs the ride, said maintenance staff are checking out what caused the hiccup and will make a report.
“Safety is the No. 1 priority for our guests at Luna Park. This was an isolated issue, and it is quickly being resolved,” a statement released by the park read.
“Cyclone will reopen after proper inspection. No one was injured.”
The official Twitter account of Luna Park tweeted earlier Sunday that the first 100 riders would get a free go-around, which will still be honored once the ride reopens.
“Those on the ride were safely evacuated according to our safety training procedures and will be able to ride again for free,” the statement read.
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