Emergency personnel rescued 16 people stranded on a roller coaster that malfunctioned on Friday afternoon at the Ratanga Junction entertainment complex outside Cape Town.
Internal investigations are under way after the fun-park ride turned sour — a mechanical failure resulting in the 16 being stuck at the highest point of the roller-coaster ride.
Ratanga Junction spokesperson Maggie Rowley said: ”We will investigate the ride until we are 100% certain it is safe. Hopefully the ride will be operational within a few days.”
She said management, as an act of faith, will be the first to ride the Cobra roller coaster before the public are allowed back on.
Earlier on Friday, rescue personnel sent back a crane that was too short to reach those trapped.
Mountain-rescue personnel used 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 complicated the rescue operation.
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 roller coaster that catapulted 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. — Sapa