At Least 100 Passengers Trapped Four Hours on Disneyland Sky Ride
Firefighters spent nearly four hours in Disneyland Saturday night rescuing more than 100 park patrons who were stranded 40 feet above the ground in a malfunctioning Sky Way ride.
No injuries were reported but Anaheim Police Sgt. James George said most of the trapped visitors had to wait several hours in the overhead cable ride’s gondolas while firefighters used cherrypickers and other hook and ladder equipment to lower them one at a time to the ground.
The Fantasyland and part of the Tomorrowland sections of the theme park were closed while the rescue operation was conducted.
The problem apparently occurred when people in one of the gondolas began to swing it to and fro “in a rather extraordinary fashion,” according to park spokesman Bob McTyre. McTyre said the visitors’ dangerous act set off the safety system on the ride at 5:53 p.m., which automatically shut it down.
Disneyland officials refused to permit news reporters into the area where the mishap occurred. But McTyre said that the trapped visitors showed patience while they waited to be lowered to safety.
Firefighters from the Anaheim, Garden Grove and Orange County fire departments participated in the rescue.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
