texas

Passengers on New Six Flags ‘Joker' Coaster Freed After 3.5-Hour Rescue

Park spokeswoman Sharon Parker said the passengers were given water and items to keep themselves warm through the rescue process

After a three-and-a-half-hour rescue mission, the passengers on a halted roller coaster in Arlington, Texas, have all been freed, according to a Six Flags spokeswoman.

Six Flags Over Texas says strong headwinds caused "The Joker" to stop overnight, leaving eight people stuck on the ride for more than three hours.

A portion of the new Six Flags Over Texas roller coaster "The Joker" was stuck with eight passengers aboard early Saturday morning. Crews from the Arlington Fire Department were dispatched around 12:30 a.m. Once they arrived, they called for backup from the technical rescue team.

new-joker-one
NBC 5 News
Several people were stuck on "The Joker" roller coaster at Six Flags Over Texas early Saturday morning, Saturday May 20, 2017.

Early Saturday morning was high school senior night, where high school seniors could play all night long from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m., according the Six Flags Over Texas website.

new-joker-four
NBC 5 News
Several people were stuck on "The Joker" roller coaster at Six Flags Over Texas early Saturday morning, Saturday May 20, 2017.

Park spokeswoman Sharon Parker said the passengers were given water and items to keep themselves warm through the rescue process. 

"The safety of our guests is our highest priority," she said in a statement. "Our team will determine what triggered one of the safety features of the ride to stop the car during the cycle as soon as the guests have safely been removed from the ride."

new-joker-five
NBC 5 News
Several people were stuck on "The Joker" roller coaster at Six Flags Over Texas early Saturday morning, Saturday May 20, 2017.

"The Joker" is scheduled to open for the first time to the public later today. Six Flags Over Texas tweeted that the ride will open following a full inspection.

The park also said the ride stopped because of severe headwinds.

It's been six years since the last time Six Flags Over Texas opened a brand new roller coaster -- but that drought is nearly over. On Saturday, May 20, "The Joker" 4D Free Fly Coaster will make its long awaited debut.
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