Two Dozen Riders Trapped on Six Flags Roller-Coaster in Maryland

24 riders are  trapped  atop a Six Flags roller coaster in Upper Marlboro Maryland on Sunday. Image-Prince George County Fire Department
24 riders are trapped atop a Six Flags roller coaster in Upper Marlboro Maryland on Sunday. Image-Prince George County Fire Department

17 adults and seven children are trapped 45 feet above ground level on the Joker’s Jinx roller coaster at Six Fags on Sunday in the hot summer sun.

The roller coaster in Upper Marlboro, Maryland malfunctioned and rescue crews arrived at the scene at 2:30 pm on Sunday afternoon. No one has been currently injured in the incident. Rescuers provided umbrellas to the fun-seekers to protect them from the sun as firefighters from Prince George County work to free the riders from their lofty perch.

Firefighters have set up a 105-foot ladder to rescue the riders that are perched at the highest point of the ride. Fire officials say that a bucket will also be used to rescue the two dozen people. They report that it will take up to 30 minutes per car to successfully bring down the trapped riders.

It is unknown what occurred to cause the ride to malfunction, but Six Flag officials say that the computerized safety system functioned as it was designed to do when a malfunction occurs. 

The ride accelerates from 0 to 60 in just under four seconds and travels upside down four times during aa circuit of the track which utilizes a spaghetti bowl design to compact the ride that is looped,draped and piled on itself to put the longest ride possible in the small space.