A mechanical issue with a chain on one of Movie World's roller-coasters left more than a dozen people stranded above the ground on Wednesday.
Queensland Fire and Emergency services and paramedics were called to the Gold Coast theme park just before 12pm AEST to reports of about 20 people dangling in their seats on the Arkham Asylum Coaster.
That number was revised to 16 by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services by 12.45pm as they worked to release the passengers from the ride using a cherry picker.
By 1.20pm all 16 people, with ages ranging from 10 to 50, were evacuated with the aid of fire crews and theme park staff either via cherry picker or external stairs beside the ride.
Queensland Ambulance Service operations supervisor Paul Young said the passengers appeared to be in good spirits as they came down off the ride.
"As they have come down, we have checked out each patient... they were all laughing, no one appeared to be fazed by it," he said.
"The park has offered them water and we suggested they drink that water as quickly as they can.
"They all looked flushed and a little bit hot as you would imagine being in the sun... but they were all fine."
Movie World general manager Greg Young could not put a time frame on when the ride would reopen.
"These kinds of mechanical issues are something that takes a little bit of time for us to investigate so we do need to take some time to review that," he told media outside the theme park on Wednesday.
"I don't see it being closed for an extended period of time but I can't really tell you any more at this point in time until we do an analysis."
Movie World visitor Kar-Lee Ann had just gotten off the Batman-themed ride when she noticed staff running towards the roller-coaster.
"I looked over to my left and saw staff running in that direction," the 27-year-old said.
"It had broken down... I think it was on the first big loop of it.
"The staff acted really promptly and really well."
Paramedics were on standby.
According to a statement issued by Movie World, the ride stopped after there was a mechanical issue with the chain.
"Due to the time required to reset the mechanical issue, we have engaged the Queensland Fire Brigade to assist with the evacuation process," the statement read.
"Our team and the Fire Brigade regularly train for this type of evacuation."
Ms Ann had come to the theme park with her family from Townsville and said she felt terrible for those who were stuck in the heat.
"It must have been very hot up there for them today," she said.
"I have seen some people come down, they seem to be OK, just a bit hot."
Maximum temperatures on the Gold Coast on Wednesday were tipped at 32 degrees.
The Arkham Asylum Coaster, formerly known as Lethal Weapon, can reach speeds of up to 85 kilometres an hour and has a maximum height of 32 metres.
The ride also features a 360-degree virtual reality experience that syncs the movement of the coaster with visual effects.
The incident comes after 16 people were stuck on the theme park's Green Lantern roller-coaster for 30 minutes in November last year after a "computer fault".
Workplace safety investigators completed a full audit of Movie World's rides in November, with all 16 rides cleared.
The audit was part of a month-long safety blitz ordered by the Queensland government for Queensland theme parks following the Dreamworld tragedy that claimed the lives of four people.
Two Workplace Health and Safety officers were at the site making initial inquiries.
- This article was first published on the brisbanetimes.com.au
