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  "path": "/2026/05/30/rollercoaster-riders-end-stranded-100ft-near-verticle-drop-glitch-28581390/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-30T14:59:53.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "News",
    "US",
    "Weird news",
    "supports HTML5\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvideo",
    "Shark",
    "School",
    "Houston",
    "Join our community",
    "check our news page",
    "Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source"
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  "textContent": "To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvideo\n\nUp Next\n\nPrevious Page\n\nNext Page\n\n**Thrill seekers at a Texas theme park got more than they bargained for when a rollercoaster glitch left them stranded 100ft in the air above a near-vertical drop.**\n\nEight students were rescued by fire crews after nearly four hours trapped atop Pleasure Peir’s Iron Shark ride on Thursday.\n\nDramatic photos show the rescuers scaling the track and securing each passenger in a safety harness before carefully guiding them back to safety.\n\nThe riders were all students on a field trip organised by Energized for STEM Academy Middle School and STEM Academy High School.\n\nIn a statement, the Houston Independent School District said: ‘We are grateful that all students, staff, and chaperones are safe.\n\n‘School administration is in direct contact with the families of all students who were on the trip.’\n\nThe Iron Shark is the tallest rollercoaster on Galveston’s Pleasure Pier.\n\nIt malfunctioned shortly before 5.30pm on Thursday. The final rider was brought back down to ground a little after 9pm.\n\nDramatic photos show the rescuers scaling the track and securing each passenger in a safety harness before carefully guiding them back to safety (Picture: Reuters)\n\nThe whole amusement park was closed while the rescue operation was underway.\n\nNone of the riders were injured but each was assessed for dehydration after spending so long stranded.\n\nThe cause of the malfunction remains unclear.\n\nLandry’s Inc, which owns Pleasure Pier, confirmed the glitch and said the ride then shut off as it was designed to do in such a scenario.\n\nIt added in a statement to ABC: ‘Our focus immediately shifted to the safety of our guests. Therefore, we contacted the Fire Department to assist, ensuring all guests were safely removed from the ride.\n\n##  Follow Metro on WhatsApp to be the first to get all the latest news\n\nFollow us to receive the latest news updates from Metro (Picture: Getty Images)\n\nMetro’s on Whatsapp! Join our community for breaking news and juicy stories.\n\n‘A thorough inspection of the ride will take place before it is placed back in service.’\n\n******Get in touch with our news team by emailing us atwebnews@metro.co.uk.******\n\n**For more stories like this,** check our news page.\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "Rollercoaster riders end up stranded 100ft above near-verticle drop after glitch"
}