State authorities are investigating a vehicle breakdown Monday at Knott’s Berry Farm that left passengers stranded in the air, two of whom were taken to the hospital.
Officials told KTLA that the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or Cal/OSHA’s Amusement Parks and Streetcar Division, is investigating the matter.
Nat’s Sol Spin left riders stranded for more than two hours. The vehicle spins independently on one of its six rotating arms, transporting guests six stories up in the air.
Knott officials confirmed to KTLA that the ride experienced a technical issue Monday around 2 p.m. Maintenance workers were called to the scene and got the ride moving again to safely evacuate the riders.
Stranded riders begin disembarking from Knott’s Berry Farm’s Sol Spin Ride after being stuck in the air for more than two hours, November 18, 2024 (KTLA) Knott’s Berry Farm’s Sol Spin Ride Stranded riders can be seen suspended in mid-air during the ride. November 18, 2024. (KTLA) Stuck riders are seen suspended in a Sol Spin vehicle. Knott’s Berry Farm (KTLA) on November 18, 2024
By 4:30 p.m., workers were able to lower the vehicle to the ground and the 22 trapped passengers were able to exit.
Sky5 video showed one person requiring a wheelchair to exit the ride, but theme park officials initially said no injuries were reported.
Late Monday night, an updated statement from Knott’s said the two female riders were taken to a local hospital “out of an abundance of caution.”
Orange County Fire Department personnel were dispatched to the Buena Park theme park, and the fire department said park personnel responded to the incident.
Knott officials told the Orange County Register that Sol Spin will be inspected before reopening.
Theme park maintenance workers are currently working to determine the cause of the technical issue. A reopening date has not yet been announced.
KTLA reached out to Knott’s Berry Farm for an updated statement, but it was not available in time for publication.
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