Students rescued from stalled ride at Galveston pier

Emergency crews successfully rescued eight students from a stalled roller coaster at a well-known attraction in Galveston on Thursday evening, according to officials.

The incident took place at Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, where the Iron Shark roller coaster came to a halt near the summit of its 100-foot lift hill. The Houston Independent School District has reported that students from STEM Academy Middle School and STEM Academy High School were stranded for several hours before being safely rescued.

The Galveston Fire Department initiated a rescue operation at approximately 5:30 p.m., employing a tower truck to assist the riders one by one. The endeavor lasted an estimated four hours.

“Unfortunately, we had to deploy our tower truck for the rescue today, but we are well-prepared for such situations,” Fire Chief Mike Varela stated at a news conference. He stated that crews collaborated closely with the Galveston Police Department and pier staff throughout the operation.

Officials reported that all eight students were safely evacuated and described them as shaken but unharmed.

The Iron Shark coaster, a key highlight of the pier, boasts approximately 1,250 feet of track and achieves speeds of up to 52 miles per hour. The malfunction took place as the train neared the summit of the ride's lift hill.

Footage of the rescue rapidly spread across the internet, garnering coverage from major national media outlets such as CNN and The New York Times, and capturing significant public interest.

Officials have not yet disclosed the cause of the malfunction. The ride, which debuted in 2012, continues to stand out as one of the pier's key attractions.

The incident occurs as Galveston approaches its bustling summer tourism season, a time when thousands of visitors are expected to visit the island's attractions.

Details on the cause of the stoppage and any inspections or safety reviews were not immediately available.