Coney Island's Cyclone roller coaster gets stuck on 1st ride of season
Dozens of riders briefly stranded on iconic amusement park ride
Coney Island's legendary Cyclone got stuck on its first ride of the season Sunday, forcing dozens of riders to be ushered down the historic wooden roller coaster.
The incident occurred around 11:45 a.m., when cars stopped near the Cyclone's 85-foot summit. No one was injured, officials said, and all riders were safely escorted down steps by park personnel.
PHOTOS from the Cyclone debacle today: http://t.co/SiBvP1Uxae pic.twitter.com/Ll9AJZw0XV
— amNewYork (@amNewYork) March 29, 2015
"This was an isolated issue and it is quickly being resolved," Angie Morris, a spokeswoman for the park, told Reuters.
The stranded riders were celebrating opening day at the amusement park. The first 100 people who entered were given a free ride on the 88-year-old roller coaster.
The Cyclone snafu happened shortly after a ceremony and inaugural ride with elected officials.
"She may not run as fast as she used to," Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams told amNewYork before the ill-fated ride, "but she's still dependable."
Morris said those who got stuck would be given another free ride when the roller coaster reopened later Sunday, though some may have been too scared to take her up on the offer.
"It was terrifying," Gabriella Centeno, one of the stranded riders, told NBC New York. "I didn't know what to do."
Brooklyn: Surf Ave & West 17 St Cyclone broke down on Luna Park’s first day of season forcing riders to walk down. pic.twitter.com/o0dV8hUtUS
— NYC Scanner (@NYScanner) March 29, 2015
"I'm scared of heights," Anna Dartany said. "This was insane."
Others, though, said they would gladly ride again.
"As soon as the ride is back up and running again we will be back up there," an unidentified rider told NY1 News. "Just a hiccup."
