Rollercoaster rescue at Great America in Santa Clara

[OogieBoogie]

CBS5 in the San Francisco Bay Area is reporting that there's a rescue operation happening on one of the roller coasters at Great America. Does anyone else have any info on this? I can't access the website on my computer.

*** UPDATE: They aren't saying which coaster, but they are saying that 32 people are currently stuck on one of them and fire crews are responding***

[aimster]

24 Stuck On Great America Roller Coaster - cbs5.com

Rescue crews were called to the Great America Theme Park in Santa Clara Monday afternoon after 24 people became stuck on a roller coaster, fire and park officials said.

Santa Clara Fire Chief Augie Weidemann said the roller coaster called "The Invertigo" had a mechanical failure, trapping all those on board.

In addition to Santa Clara, San Jose Fire Department Capt. Scott Kouns said his department was also contacted about 1:30 p.m. and an aerial truck was requested.

"One of the roller coasters had a malfunction and there were some people that were trapped on the roller coaster," he said.

A short time later another request was made, this time for members of the fire department's Urban Search and Rescue Team to perform a high-angle rescue, Kouns said.

Weidemann estimated that the rescue effort would take two to three hours to complete.

Fire crews had additional medical staff on hand in case there were any problems upon rescuing the individuals on the roller coaster.

[OogieBoogie]

Thanks Aimster. Not having internet here is like... well.. not having internet.

[sir clinksalot]

We just rode that yesterday!!!

[BlAcKoUt510]

My friend just left there an hour ago. She said almost all the rides were closed except the kiddie ones so after waiting two hours they just left.

[sir clinksalot]

Originally Posted by BlAcKoUt510

My friend just left there an hour ago. She said almost all the rides were closed except the kiddie ones so after waiting two hours they just left.

Yeah, according to the local media up there:

Other park goers are reporting via the social networking site Twitter that half the park has been shut down and rides that might offer a view of the rescue efforts are not operating.

That's kind of stupid. Why make everybody else suffer.

[aimster]

Originally Posted by OogieBoogie

Thanks Aimster. Not having internet here is like... well.. not having internet.

I take it you're posting from your phone?

[OogieBoogie]

Originally Posted by aimster

I take it you're posting from your phone?

Nope. Believe it or not, MiceChat, Hotmail, and SFGate.com are the only 3 non governmental sites which aren't blocked here.

[ralfrick]

That coaster is one of the few things I like at GA. It has face to face seats, and I definitely prefer going backwards on the initial drop. Being held at a steep angle facing down for hours must've seemed like days! Here's another story:
Great America's Invertigo roller coaster to be closed two months - San Jose Mercury News

A bientot.