Two thrill-seekers endured a terrifying ordeal when the roller coaster they were riding malfunctioned, leaving them suspended 130 feet in the air for approximately one hour.
A Night Out Turns into a Nightmare
Matthew Cantu, 24, and Nicholas Sanchez, 20, were visiting the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) sports complex in Austin on Wednesday evening. Their experience on the Circuit Breaker attraction, a tilting roller coaster that debuted in October, took a dramatic turn when the ride car ascended to its peak and then abruptly stopped.
The car was left stranded at a 90-degree angle, leaving the pair staring face down towards the ground far below. "Once we got to that 90-degree angle, and a sufficient amount of time passed, we realized that something serious was wrong," Cantu later told CBS Austin.
Confusion and a Lack of Communication
According to a representative for the men, their family members received no updates on the situation for over 30 minutes. Witnesses reported that park staff gave conflicting explanations, with some suggesting the riders "weren't strapped in correctly."
"It was hard for us to feel any sense of comfort or safety. At that position, the only thing between the ground and you is the harness," Cantu recounted. He also claimed that when staff eventually came to assess the problem, they "did make light of the situation by giggling and even making jokes."
Frustrated by the apparent lack of urgency, a relative of the stranded men called emergency services at around 9:30 pm, some 36 minutes after the ride initially stalled. Emergency Medical Services and the fire department arrived about ten minutes later. Authorities reportedly questioned the delayed notification from the park.
Aftermath and Physical Symptoms
Park staff eventually resolved the issue, which a COTA spokesperson attributed to "a sensor [that] triggered a ride delay." The ride then proceeded without further incident. First responders determined that Cantu and Sanchez did not require immediate medical assistance.
However, both men reported uncomfortable physical symptoms after finally being returned to solid ground. Cantu allegedly felt lightheaded and exhibited symptoms consistent with blood pooling, a condition where blood collects in the veins. Sanchez claimed to have experienced numbness in his upper leg from the prolonged suspension.
"Being up there for that long, it can do a lot to a person. Once that 35-minute mark passed, my mind just went to the darkest places," Cantu said.
In a statement to local media, a COTA spokesperson said, "As with all amusement attractions of this sort, delays occasionally occur. We regret the inconvenience and are glad that out of the 25,000 people that have ridden the coaster, only two have this badge of courage." The men stated they had not heard directly from the park following the incident.
