Theme park ride leaves 22 hanging midair for hours and sends two to hospital

Nearly two dozen riders were suspended in midair for hours after a Knott’s Berry Farm ride malfunctioned on Monday afternoon (Picture: AP)

Nearly two dozen amusement park guests were left dangling from a ride for two-and-a-half hours at Knotts Berry Farm.

The Sol Spin ride with six rotating arms suffered a malfunction around 2pm on Monday and left 22 riders suspended, according to a spokesperson for the theme park in Southern California.

Aerial video footage showed the Sol Spin halted with its main rod almost perpendicular to the ground. Many riders were sitting with their legs hanging toward the ground.

The clip showed the six arms of the ride slowly being lowered to the ground and guests being released from their over-the-head seatbelts.

All the riders were rescued following the manufacturer’s and park’s emergency protocol by 4.30pm.

Two female riders were taken to a hospital ‘out of an abundance of caution’, added the Knotts Berry Farm spokesperson.

Park staff handled the rescue while county fire officials were on standby.

With a height requirement of 54 inches, Sol Spin is a ‘one for the brave!’ states the theme park’s website.

Guests at the Southern California theme park were stuck on the Sol Spin ride after technical difficulties caused it to stop at around 2pm on Monday (Picture: AP)

‘Sol Spin sends guests on a thrilling adventure over 6 stories high as they rotate in all directions on one of six spinning arms,’ it reads.

‘Each arm rotates 360 degrees independent of one another providing a different experience every ride.’

It has a lengthy list of ride safety details including information on getting on the ride.

All the riders were evacuated and two female guests were transported to a hospital to be checked (Picture: AP)

‘Because of the force experienced on this ride, riders should have the ability to support their upper body,’ the website states.

‘The rider should be able to maintain an upright and stable position.’

The Sol Spin riders got stuck nearly a year after guests on the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster at Universal Studios Florida were left dangling in an awkward vertical position on Thanksgiving night for nearly an hour. None of the visitors were injured and all were safely helped off.

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