Over a dozen left dangling over water after winds cause gondola ride to malfunction at SeaWorld San Diego
Rescue crews were called to SeaWorld San Diego Monday night after a gondola ride malfunctioned, leaving more than a dozen people trapped and suspended high above water.
After a lengthy rescue effort that lasted about four hours, officials with the San Diego Fire Department said on Twitter that all 16 people had been safely removed from the ride and were being evacuated by medical crews. The passengers had been lowered by harnesses onto lifeguard boats.
The incident occurred on the “Bayside Gondola” ride around 7:22 p.m. PST, when a big gust of wind tripped a circuit breaker, San Diego Police told Fox 5 San Diego. The rescue effort had concluded by 11:30 p.m.
Officials with the theme park told Fox 5 that blankets were aboard the gondolas as passengers were stuck while the temperatures dipped to the upper 40s.
"Once our guests are cared for, we will conduct a thorough inspection of the ride prior to re-opening," park officials said in a statement.
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