Two thrill-seekers in Texas endured a terrifying ordeal after a rollercoaster malfunction left them suspended 130 feet in the air for more than an hour.
A Ride Turned Nightmare
Matthew Cantu, 24, and Nicholas Sanchez, 20, were at the peak of the Circuit Breaker ride at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) near Austin on Wednesday evening when the attraction suddenly ground to a halt. The pair had boarded the coaster around 8:50 pm, only to find themselves hanging at a perilous 90-degree angle shortly after.
Footage from the scene showed the carriage frozen in motion midway through a downward plunge, with the two men calmly waiting for rescue. The ride's unique "tilt" technology, designed for corkscrew twists, meant they were safely secured but acutely aware of the sheer drop below, as the coaster lacks the fencing common on modern rides.
Failed Communications and Emergency Response
According to a representative for the men, for over 30 minutes after the stoppage, family members received no clear updates. Witnesses reported that staff gave conflicting explanations, including an incorrect suggestion that the riders "weren't strapped in correctly."
With emergency crews failing to appear promptly, worried relatives took matters into their own hands and called 911 at around 9:40 pm. Law enforcement and medics subsequently arrived at the iconic race track venue.
Upon being lifted from the train and assessed, Cantu was found to be experiencing "lightheadedness and symptoms consistent with blood pooling" from the prolonged inversion, according to Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services. Sanchez reported numbness in his upper leg. Both were discharged by emergency workers after 10 pm.
Park Response and Calls for Transparency
A spokesperson for COTA told Fox News the breakdown was caused by a sensor triggering a ride delay. "As with all amusement attractions of this sort, delays occasionally occur," the spokesperson said. "We regret the inconvenience and are glad that out of the 25,000 people that have ridden the coaster, only two have this badge of courage."
However, in a joint statement to KXAN, Sanchez and Cantu revealed they had not been contacted by any COTA officials following the incident. "While we understand unexpected situations can arise, clear and timely communication and follow-up are especially important in situations like this," they stated. "We're sharing our experience in the hope of greater transparency and understanding. We're grateful the situation wasn't worse."
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of theme park ride safety. Just days prior, a North Carolina woman launched a lawsuit against Universal Orlando, alleging severe injury on a rollercoaster. Months earlier, a man with spinal atrophy died on the same attraction, with a coroner citing major internal bleeding.
