Galveston Roller Coaster Malfunction Leaves Eight Students Stranded for Hours
Eight Houston-area students were safely rescued Thursday evening after becoming stranded nearly 100 feet in the air on the Iron Shark roller coaster at Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier.
According to local officials, the ride stopped during its initial climb after a malfunction triggered the coaster’s emergency stop system. The students remained suspended for nearly four hours while Galveston firefighters conducted a complex rescue operation using a ladder truck and safety harnesses.
All eight students were brought down safely and checked for dehydration. Officials said none suffered serious injuries.
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Pleasure Pier said the ride stopped as designed to protect riders and will undergo a full inspection before returning to service.
The highly visible rescue drew attention across the Houston-Galveston region as families begin summer travel and tourism season, placing renewed focus on amusement ride safety and emergency preparedness. The cause of the malfunction remains under investigation.
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