Airtime&Gravity Posted March 30, 2010 Posted March 30, 2010 (edited) A ride that has apparently malfunctioned at the Miami-Dade Fair and Exposition has left a handful of riders stranded in the air, according to dispatch reports from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. The stranded fairgoers are riding the Space Roller, an attraction that has a pod of cars at the end of a long arm. Firefighters have called for ladder units that can reach people at least 100 feet in the air. The ride is located at the northeast corner of the fair. Chopper 4 was showing at least two people in a pod about 100 feet in the air, hanging on their sides roughly parallel to the ground. Fire Rescue was called because there apparently no equipment on-sight at the fairgrounds that could reach the stranded passengers. They, in turn, called upon Miami Beach Fire Rescue to send a ladder truck that could reach the stranded passengers. The Fair had only been opened for about 2 hours when the ride apparently malfunctioned, and while later in the day it would usually be filled with passengers, the lesser crowds at this time of the day left the Space Roller virtually empty. The passengers stranded high above the fair appeared to be unhurt, and could be seen apparently making calls from their cellphones. The Space Roller is built in The Netherlands by the Mondial, and is known by the company is the Topscan. The company's website says "The hydraulic drive enables the main cross arm to make an oval arc in both directions left and right. At the end of this cross arm are the unique rotating gondolas which are fitted with the safest shoulder and lap restraints. The gondolas are allowed to rotate freely using centrifugal force, they also can perform a 360 degree loop. As the riders' legs are free the sensation of flying and performing loops is enhanced." Link Video Edited March 31, 2010 by Airtime&Gravity
SharkTums Posted March 30, 2010 Posted March 30, 2010 LOL! What a world we live in. The people are stuck on the ride on their cell phones, probably looking to make a buck or calling a lawyer in preparation to sue while they're still stuck!!! Amazing! Keep us updated on this please!
Airtime&Gravity Posted March 30, 2010 Author Posted March 30, 2010 ^Right after you posted, they were rescued. Several passengers have been rescued after being stranded when a ride apparently malfunctioned at the Miami-Dade Fair and Exposition. WFOR reported the passengers were riding the Space Roller, a ride with an extended arm carrying pod of cars. Firefighters called for units that can reach people at least 100 feet in the air. Rescuers were seen on video trying to use a cherry picker to try and reach them - but were unable to on their first attempt. They were able to rescue the passengers after operators were able to make the ride work and lowered them to a position where they could be reached. CNN
larrygator Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 (edited) The ABC affiliate in New York City is promoting this as a lead-in to their 11PM news. How about doing some real reporting? Edited March 31, 2010 by larrygator
deathbydinn Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 The ABC affiliate in New York City is promoting this as a lead-in to their 11PM news. How about doing some real reporting? They just reported on it here in WI. At least it was just a ten second blurb not a lead in story.
christianscoasters Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 Good God, this was a headline on our local news. WTF?
99er Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 Same here in Ohio. Slow news day I guess (everywhere?) because a situation like this should not be national coverage unless there is actual harm done to a guest. Why was the power outage at my park this past summer not covered by CNN? It stranded riders at the top of our Giant Wheel for nearly TWENTY MINUTES!!!111!! *rolls eyes*
jray21 Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 I remember seeing this as well. It really was a slow news day. Best part was that about 3 hours after it was over, our local paper put it as the headline, but they still had the initial report with nothing about it being over.
krazekiddd Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 I loved the title of the news story they played down here. "Scare in the Air". HA! I loved how two people said they were ready to get on more rides after they were left off. At least they weren't all dramatic about it. I'll be there this weekend to check out the fair this year
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