Emergency rescue personnel were trying to rescue 20 people stranded high on a roller coaster that malfunctioned on Friday afternoon at the Ratanga Junction entertainment complex outside Cape Town.
Metro emergency officials said no injuries were reported.
A rescue crane was sent back to base after it was discovered that it was too short to reach those trapped.
Mountain-rescue personnel were then trying to get the riders to the ground using ropes and a Whillans harness, which is put around an individual’s waist, with the legs dangling through holes.
A strong south-easter blowing at gale-force was complicating the rescue.
According to Ratanga Junction’s website, The Cobra is not for the ”faint-hearted”.
It is billed as one of the most challenging adult rides available, a suspended looping coaster that catapults riders from a height of 34m along 910m of track.
Riders experience up to four times the force of gravity and reach speeds of close to 100kph.
Attempts to get hold of Maggie Rowley, the park’s spokesperson, proved unsuccessful. — Sapa