EIGHT STUDENTS RESCUED AFTER BEING TRAPPED AT TOP OF ROLLER COASTER FOR ALMOST FOUR HOURS

PEOPLE

 

8 Students Rescued After Being Trapped at the Top of a Texas Roller Coaster for Almost 4 Hours

Pleasure Pier's Iron Shark roller coaster which has a 100-foot vertical lift hill, stopped working at 5:21 p.m. on May 28

By Gina Kalsi  Updated on May 29, 2026 09:20AM EDT

 

Eight students have been rescued after they were stranded on a roller coaster for four hours in Galveston, Texas.

 

On Thursday, May 28, at 5:37 p.m. local time, the Galveston Fire Department received a call that there were several riders stuck on Pleasure Pier's Iron Shark roller coaster, according to ABC 7.

 

The ride, which has a 100-foot vertical lift hill, stopped working at 5:21 p.m., according to the outlet.

 

The Galveston Fire Department saved the last person on the ride shortly after 9 p.m. local time, with Chief Mike Varela Jr. adding that his “firefighters were ready today,” and describing them as “top notch” to Houston CBS affiliate KHOU.

 

He said the manlift that is usually used to help evacuate stranded customers had “mechanical issues” and therefore, the fire department needed to use its Tower 1 engine.

 

Varela told reporters: “Of course they were shaken up from climbing that ladder down, being in that hot sun. They have been checked for dehydration and everyone seems to be doing pretty good.”

 

He added: “You could tell they were shaken up, visually, and then you could see a sense of joy as well once their feet hit the ground.”

 

Firefighters had to reassure the students that the equipment they were putting on them was going to keep them safe, he said.

 

Houston Independent School District (HISD) confirmed to ABC 7 that the eight riders were students who were on a field trip organized by Energized for STEM Academy Middle School and STEM Academy High School.

 

HISD said in a statement to the outlet that it was “grateful that all students, staff, and chaperones are safe."

 

Terry Turney, the COO of Pleasure Pier, told PEOPLE: "The ride experienced a malfunction at its initial ascent, however, as designed, it immediately stopped to keep everyone safe. Our focus immediately shifted to the safety of our 8 guests. Therefore, we contacted the Fire Department to assist, ensuring all guests were safely removed from the ride."

 

Turney added: "A thorough inspection of the ride is currently underway. We can’t thank the fire department enough for their quick response and assistance.”

 

The Iron Shark roller coaster reaches speeds of 52 miles per hour and glides along a 1,246-foot coaster track, per the Pleasure Pier website.

 

PEOPLE reached out to Dancie Perugini Ware Public Relations, which handles inquiries for Landry's, Galveston Fire Department and HISD for confirmation and comment, but they did not immediately respond.