Troubled Gold Coast theme park Dreamworld has today faced another blow as one of their most popular rides malfunctioned with people on-board.
Earlier on Thursday afternoon, a group of people became trapped vertically on the BuzzSaw rollercoaster when the ride came to a sudden halt. Vision obtained by Channel Nine showed around six riders trapped on the ride, leaving them dangling vertically and high in the air for around half an hour.
Engineers worked as quickly as possible to assess the problem and rescue the terrified passengers. Staff tried their best to comfort the thrill-seekers by talking to them over the ride’s speaker system.
“You’re on your way down now guys,” a Dreamworld staff member can be heard saying in the clip. “Sorry for the delay guys. So sorry for the delay, but you’re on your way down now.”
Thankfully, the ride started working again and all the passengers returned safely to land. It is believed that a computer-operated controlled stop sensor was activated, causing the ride to stop. “The BuzzSaw controlled stop sensors were activated today at approximately 1.40pm bringing the ride to an immediate stop,” a spokesperson told QT. “”All of our rides are fitted with computer-operated controlled stop sensors and are an essential component of this ride’s safety features. They occur for a variety of reasons, from safety sensor alignment to guest behaviour or weather.”
It comes after four people died in October of 2016 on the popular Thunder River Rapids family ride after a horrific accident. The ride was shut down immediately, with all other rides in the theme park tested for their safety. The park was shut for 45 days as investigations took place. Last year, Dreamworld reported a $62.6 million loss following the accident.
Dreamworld originally opened on the Gold Coast in 1981 and is Australia’s largest theme park, boasting an array of thrill-rides, attractions, animals and fun for the whole family.