Riders of the Iron Shark roller coaster at Pleasure Pier got more than they bargained for when their tram stopped moving at the ride’s 100-foot apex. Rescue workers were able to retrieve all eight riders on May 28, guiding each down an emergency ladder.
Pleasure Pier CEO Terry Turney stated that the fire department was contacted at 5 pm after the ride suffered a “malfunction on its initial ascent.”
“However, as designed, it immediately stopped to keep everyone safe,” continued Turney. “Our focus immediately shifted to the safety of our eight guests.”
“Just the unique situation does make it a challenge, especially with all the guests and the visitors, and of course it had to be on the day school was let out, so it was a challenge to get personnel off the pier,” Galveston Fire Chief Michael Varela said.
