A popular roller coaster at Universal Studios Florida stopped unexpectedly on Thursday afternoon, leaving dozens of riders stranded high above the park. Officials confirmed that all passengers were safely evacuated from the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster after it malfunctioned during operation.
The incident occurred at approximately 3:45 PM, prompting an immediate response from the park's safety and technical teams. No injuries were reported during the malfunction or the subsequent evacuation process, which was completed in coordination with the Orlando Fire Department.
Key Takeaways
- The Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster at Universal Studios Florida experienced a technical malfunction, stopping mid-ride.
- All passengers were safely evacuated by park personnel and the Orlando Fire Department.
- There were no reported injuries resulting from the incident.
- The ride will remain closed pending a full safety inspection to determine the cause of the stoppage.
Details of the Ride Stoppage
The Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, known for its 167-foot vertical lift hill, came to a halt on a section of track elevated above the park grounds. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the ride vehicle stationary for a significant period before the evacuation procedure began. Park officials have not yet specified the exact nature of the technical issue that caused the stoppage.
Universal Orlando Resort released a statement confirming the event. "We can confirm that Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit experienced a technical issue which caused the ride vehicle to stop," the statement read. "Our team worked quickly to ensure the safety of our guests and to evacuate them from the ride."
The evacuation was a coordinated effort involving Universal's internal safety teams and local emergency services. The Orlando Fire Department was dispatched to the scene to assist, a standard protocol for such incidents at major theme parks in the area.
Evacuation Process and Eyewitness Accounts
The process to safely remove passengers from the stranded coaster took over an hour. Trained park personnel, equipped with safety harnesses, ascended the ride's structure to reach the riders. Each passenger was individually secured and guided down a maintenance stairway.
"Our number one priority is the safety of our guests. The evacuation was conducted cautiously and professionally by our well-trained team in partnership with the Orlando Fire Department," a Universal spokesperson stated in a press briefing.
Guests who were on the ride described the experience as unnerving but praised the response of the park staff. One rider told local news outlets, "It was scary being stuck up there, but the Universal employees were very calm and reassuring. They talked us through every step of getting down safely."
Social media platforms were quickly filled with images and videos from park visitors who watched the evacuation unfold from the ground. The careful and methodical nature of the rescue was a common theme in many online posts.
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Statistics
- Height: 167 feet (51 meters)
- Top Speed: 65 mph (105 km/h)
- Track Length: 3,800 feet (1,158 meters)
- Opening Date: August 19, 2009
Safety Protocols and Ride Inspection
Following the incident, Universal officials confirmed that the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit will be closed indefinitely. A thorough investigation into the cause of the malfunction is now underway. This process involves a comprehensive review of the ride's mechanical and computer systems.
"The ride will not reopen until we are certain it is safe to do so," Universal's statement concluded. "We will conduct a full review as part of our standard safety procedures."
Theme Park Safety Oversight in Florida
In Florida, theme parks with more than 1,000 employees that have full-time safety inspectors are exempt from state inspection. However, they are required to report all ride-related injuries and incidents to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) on a quarterly basis. The FDACS has the authority to investigate any reported incidents.
This is not the first time the attraction has experienced operational issues. Like many complex amusement park rides, it has had temporary stoppages in the past. However, incidents requiring a full evacuation are less common. Safety experts note that ride control systems are designed to safely stop a ride if any anomaly is detected, which is often the reason for these halts.
Impact on Park Operations
The temporary closure of a major attraction like Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit can affect guest flow and wait times at other rides within Universal Studios Florida. Park management often implements strategies to manage crowds, such as increasing capacity at other popular attractions or deploying additional entertainment options.
Universal has not yet announced how it will accommodate guests who had purchased Express Passes specifically for the ride. Typically, in such situations, parks offer alternatives or refunds. The park operated normally otherwise, with other attractions remaining open to the public.
The incident serves as a reminder of the complex engineering and stringent safety measures that govern modern theme park attractions. While stoppages can be alarming for guests, they often indicate that the ride's safety systems are functioning as designed to prevent a more serious event.
