Knott's Skycabin got stuck... Fire Department Rescue.

[techskip]

http://cbs2.com/local/Rescue.Knotts.Berry.2.754381.html

24 People Rescued From Knotts Berry Farm Ride
BUENA PARK, Calif. Twenty-four people were rescued from a rotating observation tower at Knott's Berry Farm after being trapped about 50 feet off the ground. No injuries were reported, a fire captain said.

The group became trapped about 7:30 p.m., said fire Capt. Mike Blawn of the Orange County Fire Authority.

Firefighters evacuated 24 adults and children from the Sky Cabin using a platform truck equipped with an aerial ladder, Blawn said.

As night approached, a truck from the Anaheim Fire Department was used to rescue the remainder of the people with a large basket, he said.

The last person was brought down about 9:45 p.m., he said.

Authorities are unsure what caused the cabin to become stuck, he said.

The 225-foot tower beneath the Sky Cabin was once used for the Parachute Sky Jump ride and was once the tallest structure in Orange County, according to the Orange County Register.

The cabin was not at the top of the tower when it got stuck.

My family and I were in the park that evening. We saw the helicopters overhead, but no one knew anything at the time. I am SOOOO glad we were not in it. Ironically I had wanted to ride Skycabin but my wife wanted to eat first... we may otherwise have been on it when it happened. That would not have been fun with a 2.5 year old, a 4 year old, and a 5 year old.

[aashee]

Now that's scary. I think this happened on the parachutes once as well. I'm not a big fan of heights and this would send me over the edge.

[PirateMunkee]

Why am I not surprised!!!

[sir clinksalot]

Good thing it didn't stop any higher or they wouldn't have been able to "Cherry Pick" them out. Probably would have had to climb down the ladder or something.

[TikiRoomLiz]

Originally Posted by sir clinksalot

Good thing it didn't stop any higher or they wouldn't have been able to "Cherry Pick" them out. Probably would have had to climb down the ladder or something.

I'd have to agree. I do enjoy the Sky Cabin, but if I was stuck all the way at the top for a long period of time I'd start feeling anxious.

[techskip]

Seeing the helicopters hovering over the park gave me a very uneasy feeling. The Knott's employees didn't say anything about it, or didn't know... in either event we didn't know until we got home.

[PretzelSouls]

Wowow. That's scary!

[Disneyfan4]

I think that would pretty cool. You would have great views of Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

[DisneyIPresume]

50 feet is not that bad compared to being stuck at the very top. How would they have gotten people out in that case? Ladders? There is no way I would climb down that thing on a ladder -- especially way at the top of it.

[techskip]

Originally Posted by DisneyIPresume

50 feet is not that bad compared to being stuck at the very top. How would they have gotten people out in that case? Ladders? There is no way I would climb down that thing on a ladder -- especially way at the top of it.

Rescue by Bungee Jump... for me that would be going out in style!

[Stitchy]

yeah. that's why I don't get on anything higher than two stories. NO way.

[Darkbeer]

The Sky Cabin is back up and running, but not available to guests yet, as they want to do some more testing first.

And the SeaWorld San Diego Sky Tower has a stock of emergency supplies under the seats in case it gets stuck (and it has happened in the past). Basic things like Water, and of course, a urinal, just in case...

The San Diego Fire department has a drill every year to practice rescues from the Sky Tower.

So I am kinda shocked that this was the first time in a long time that the Knott's tower broke down. And these towers are very safe, if something goes wrong, then the system is designed to stop the cabin, and they have special cogs that will keep it from falling down if there is a problem with a cable or the power shuts down.

[sir clinksalot]

Originally Posted by DisneyIPresume

50 feet is not that bad compared to being stuck at the very top. How would they have gotten people out in that case? Ladders? There is no way I would climb down that thing on a ladder -- especially way at the top of it.

If I'm not mistaken (and I could very well be) I think these towers have a ladder in the middle of the "Tube" that they could probably climb down if they REALLY needed to.

But not 100% sure on that.

Does Knott's still have an employee that rides in the ride? I know Sea World does, however their Sky Tower is much newer and IMO in MUCH better condition.

[PinBrian]

When I was a kid the tower at Great America in Santa Clara got stuck about a third or so up the tower. They were evacuated by a ladder truck as well. From watching it I remember thinking everything went very smoothly and quickly.

[Darkbeer]

SeaWorld San Diego's Sky Tower opened in 1969.

Knott's Sky Cabin opened in 1976.

So the SeaWorld tower is older.

And yes, Knott's requires an employee to ride in the cabin when it has guests on it.

SeaWorld has the same policy, and since they have a double deck version, their requirement is to have an employee on each level opened to guests. So on a slow day, they just need one CM, if they are only operating one level. On busier days, then they need 2, one for each level.

And yes, both towers have an interior ladder, but there is no easy access from the cabin to the main tower. Pretty much, rescuers have to climb up and get above the cabin and exit the tower thru an escape hatch, and then use climbing ropes to lower themselves to the roof of the cabin.