Riders Stranded on Invertigo at California’s Great America
Yesterday, 24 riders found themselves stuck on Invertigo at California’s Great America (Santa Clara, CA) for over four hours. The inverted shuttle coaster features trains fixed below the ride’s steel track.
The ride begins with the 28 passenger train being pulled up out of the back of the station and into the ride’s 131′ lift hill. At around 1:30 in the afternoon, the train came to a halt about half way up the lift hill. The train was between 40 and 80 feet in the air. Rescue crews were called in and they lowered the riders one at a time into buckets at the end of aerial ladders. The last of the stranded riders was rescued just before 6:00 PM.
While I don’t think the riders were in any real danger, they didn’t seem to know that.
“It was frightening. It was scary,” 14-year-old Dennis Espinoza, of San Lorenzo, told the Mercury News newspaper. “We thought we were going to die.”
It would be horrific to be that scared for four long, torturous hours. I hope Great America is going to do something for these folks to compensate them for their distress. Here’s a video from a local news outlet on the accident:
Are Invertigo Roller Coasters Safe?
Similar incidents have happened on Six Flags America’s accident plagued Two Face coaster which is a clone of Invertigo. Last winter, Six Flags finally sold Two Face. Maybe, California’s Great America ought to consider the same. Kings Island is the only other American park with an Invertigo clone. The ride seems like pretty simple technology, but obviously the Vekoma Invertigo coaster is a problem proned model.
What’s Your Take?
Have you ridden Invertigo at California’s Great America? What do you think of this coaster accident? Leave a comment below. Photo Credit: Associated Press
August 13, 2009 at 06:59
A roller coaster being stuck on the lift hill for 4 hours. That is a reallly long time. That woman who said i thought we were going to die, how did she think that. I have no idea how she would think she would have died. I bet she was claustrophobic. Well yeah it would be a little bit scary but not "going to die" scary. I think the park needs to give all the people riding the ride a free ticket back to the park.
August 13, 2009 at 10:12
at least that. they should close the ride and give them an annual pass and the president of the park apologize.
September 8, 2009 at 15:53
I've ridden Invertigo about 6 times total. It is ok. It is the kind of ride that is cheap and doesn't take up much space. The only part that is cool are the two lift hills. depending on where you sit you can't see the end so you are waiting in anticipation. the OSR's have head pads so your head is bobbling but you don't feel it. Overall it is OK. there is no discomfort but there is nothing spectacular.
November 5, 2009 at 15:59
om that wasnt scary i was init:0