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After 5 hours, firefighters begin lowering 18 people stuck aboard Knott's Berry Farm Sky Cabin
Dec. 30, 2016
|
Updated 8:58 p.m.
View Photo Gallery
By ALMA FAUSTO and SCOTT SCHWEBKE, STAFF WRITERS »
BUENA PARK – More than five hours after they became stranded 125 feet in the air, 18 people aboard the disabled Sky Cabin at Knott’s Berry Farm were lowered one-by-one to safety Friday night by firefighters.
At 7:25 p.m., the first passenger harnessed to a Orange County Fire Authority firefighter made it to the base of the ride that became stuck around 2 p.m.
There were 17 passengers and an operator aboard the Sky Cabin.
The riders, both children and adults, were harnessed to firefighters and hugging them tightly as they were lowered one-by-one from the Sky Cabin. The process could take hours before all are safely on the ground.
OCFA firefighters were called to the park around 5 p.m. after attempts by Knott’s workers to get the ride moving again. The ride ascends to more than 180 feet, according to Knott’s.
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“After the Knott’s Berry Farm maintenance team made several attempts to bring the attraction down, we contacted the Orange County Fire Authority,” according to a 6:15 p.m. statement from park officials. “As always, the safety of our guests and employees is our number one priority.”
Knott’s officials didn’t immediately return phone calls to explain why they waited nearly three hours to notify OCFA.
The ride is one of the most popular attractions at Knott’s and carries passengers upward in a rotating room that provides panoramic views of Orange County.
OCFA Capt. Larry Kurtz said no one on board was injured.
The tourists and fun-seekers on the slow-moving Sky Cabin are most likely hungry, claustrophobic and badly in need of a bathroom, but Orange County fire authorities say they are not in danger.
“We’re visiting from Oregon,” rider Gave Javage told KNBC-TV via cellphone. “There’s nine in our group. “My son and his cousin are down below. They elected not to go on the ride. Good choice for them, huh?”
There was no word on what caused the ride breakdown Friday.
Sky Cabin was closed in May 2010 and was idle for 18 months before reopening after a remodel.
Prior to its remodel, in 2008, the ride got stuck, leaving 24 people marooned for about an hour 50 feet above ground. The stranded riders were given free passes to the park.
Originally opened in 1976, the oversized mechanical doughnut ascends about 300 feet into the air and spins slowly, allowing riders panoramic views.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Contact the writer: 714-796-7865 or afausto@scng.com
Dec. 30, 2016
|
Updated 8:58 p.m.
View Photo GalleryBy ALMA FAUSTO and SCOTT SCHWEBKE, STAFF WRITERS »
BUENA PARK – More than five hours after they became stranded 125 feet in the air, 18 people aboard the disabled Sky Cabin at Knott’s Berry Farm were lowered one-by-one to safety Friday night by firefighters.
At 7:25 p.m., the first passenger harnessed to a Orange County Fire Authority firefighter made it to the base of the ride that became stuck around 2 p.m.
There were 17 passengers and an operator aboard the Sky Cabin.
The riders, both children and adults, were harnessed to firefighters and hugging them tightly as they were lowered one-by-one from the Sky Cabin. The process could take hours before all are safely on the ground.
OCFA firefighters were called to the park around 5 p.m. after attempts by Knott’s workers to get the ride moving again. The ride ascends to more than 180 feet, according to Knott’s.
ADVERTISEMENT
“After the Knott’s Berry Farm maintenance team made several attempts to bring the attraction down, we contacted the Orange County Fire Authority,” according to a 6:15 p.m. statement from park officials. “As always, the safety of our guests and employees is our number one priority.”
Knott’s officials didn’t immediately return phone calls to explain why they waited nearly three hours to notify OCFA.
The ride is one of the most popular attractions at Knott’s and carries passengers upward in a rotating room that provides panoramic views of Orange County.
OCFA Capt. Larry Kurtz said no one on board was injured.
The tourists and fun-seekers on the slow-moving Sky Cabin are most likely hungry, claustrophobic and badly in need of a bathroom, but Orange County fire authorities say they are not in danger.
“We’re visiting from Oregon,” rider Gave Javage told KNBC-TV via cellphone. “There’s nine in our group. “My son and his cousin are down below. They elected not to go on the ride. Good choice for them, huh?”
There was no word on what caused the ride breakdown Friday.
Sky Cabin was closed in May 2010 and was idle for 18 months before reopening after a remodel.
Prior to its remodel, in 2008, the ride got stuck, leaving 24 people marooned for about an hour 50 feet above ground. The stranded riders were given free passes to the park.
Originally opened in 1976, the oversized mechanical doughnut ascends about 300 feet into the air and spins slowly, allowing riders panoramic views.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Contact the writer: 714-796-7865 or afausto@scng.com
