CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENTS RESCUED AFTER ROLLER COASTER MALFUNCTION LEAVES GROUP STRANDED 100 FEET ABOVE GALVESTON AMUSEMENT PARK. (PHOTO)

 Charter school students rescued after roller coaster malfunction leaves group stranded 100 feet above Galveston amusement park

  

Eight charter school students were safely rescued Thursday night after a roller coaster malfunction left them stranded about 100 feet in the air at Galveston’s Pleasure Pier.

The incident happened on the Iron Shark roller coaster when the ride stalled during its ascent, stopping with the group near the top of the track in a nearly vertical position. The eight students, who were on a field trip, became stuck around 5:30 p.m. before emergency crews were called to the scene.

The Galveston Fire Department responded with a ladder truck and rescue team, working to carefully bring each student down one at a time using harnesses. Officials said the lift reached up to 105 feet as crews carried out the evacuation.

Fire officials said the students appeared to be shaken but otherwise in good condition after spending time exposed to the heat. They were evaluated for dehydration, and no serious injuries were reported.

The students were part of a field trip organized by Energized for STEM Academy Middle School and STEM Academy High School, both charter schools within the Houston Independent School District. The district said it was in contact with families and expressed gratitude to first responders and park staff for the safe outcome.

Pleasure Pier officials said the ride malfunctioned during its initial climb and automatically stopped as designed to protect riders. The park said its focus immediately shifted to guest safety and that a full inspection will be conducted before the ride is reopened. The amusement pier was briefly evacuated during the rescue operation.

Officials praised the six-member rescue team for handling the high-angle operation, noting that crews had trained for similar rare emergency scenarios. The pier’s layout, they said, includes reinforced access routes specifically designed to allow emergency responders to reach rides like the Iron Shark.

The cause of the malfunction has not yet been determined, and the roller coaster will remain closed pending a full safety inspection.