A malfunction at an amusement park in Southern California caused a serious scare for passengers and required emergency assistance from firefighters.

The amusement park accident occurred around 2:00 p.m. on the Sky Cabin ride at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA. The popular ride stalled and left 21 people trapped approximately 100 feet in the air.

Shortly after ride operators noticed that the ride had suddenly stopped, mechanics at the park tried to correct the issue and bring the ride back down to the ground. When amusement park mechanics were unable to get the ride running again, park officials contacted local law enforcement. Authorities subsequently dispatched police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical crews to the scene. It took Orange County firefighters more than six hours to get to the passengers and use ropes and harnesses to lower them to the ground. The riders were lowered one at a time, which is why it took so long to move them to safety. At one point, the emergency responders thought about using a crane to rescue the passengers but ultimately decided to continue using the ropes.

The Sky Cabin is described as a slow-moving ride that takes passengers on a circular tram. The tram travels high up into the sky through a cylinder. As the cylinder rises, passengers are provided with a 360-degree panoramic view of a number of areas, including Catalina Island, Orange County, and the Los Angeles Basin.

The Sky Cabin is a fully enclosed ride, which provides passengers with some degree of safety and prevents them from falling out of the enclosure. However, even these types of amusement park rides can malfunction and cause serious injuries.

Personal Injury Claims for Ca Amusement Park Accidents

Fortunately, none of the ride passengers sustained any serious injuries due to the frightening incident. Authorities did indicate that some of the passengers were suffering from claustrophobia and extreme hunger after being stuck on the ride, and in close quarters, for so long.

Tourists and locals, including several children, were among the passengers who got trapped on the Sky Cabin ride. Depending on the extent of their trauma, or if they suffer any delayed injuries as a result of the amusement park ride accident, the passengers and their families may be able to file personal injury claims against the operators of Knott’s Berry Farm.

One of the people on the Sky Cabin at the time of the accident was a ride operator. Depending on his employment status, it is possible that he would be covered under California’s workers’ compensation laws. CA workers’ compensation benefits provide employees with medical treatment needed to recover from any work-related injury or illness, in addition to other damages.

For more information about the recent amusement park accident, read the Yahoo.com article, “21 People Rescued from California Ride Stuck 100 Feet High.”

If you were injured in an amusement park accident anywhere in California, you need to speak with a qualified personal injury lawyer immediately. At The Paris Firm, we can help. Contact The Paris Firm now to schedule a free initial consultation.