headline

Riders returned to safety after hours stranded on Gold Coast rollercoaster

Riders on a theme park rollercoaster were left stranded in mid-air after the ride became stuck on the tracks at a Gold Coast theme park.

Village Roadshow Theme Parks confirmed there was a ride stoppage on the DC Rivals HyperCoaster at Warner Bros Movie World this afternoon, after a ride sensor was activated.

"At all times throughout the stoppage, the guests on board were safe and our team were in constant communication with them," a spokesperson said.

READ MORE: 'How dare you?': Some of Trump's biggest supporters turn on him

DC Rivals Hypercoaster stuck

About a dozen riders were able to exit the ride about two hours after it became stuck near the top of the rollercoaster track.

"The guests on board exited the ride from the safe stop zones with the help of our team, before walking down the lift hill," the spokesperson said.

"The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our highest priority and ride stoppages are proof rides systems and operators are doing as they are designed and trained to do to keep our guests safe."

A video posted to Facebook showed the rollercoaster stuck near the peak of the track, with dark umbrellas protecting passengers from the heat.

The DC Rivals HyperCoaster is regarded as the "tallest, longest and fastest HyperCoaster in the southern hemisphere".

The ride travels at speeds up to 115km/h and reaches heights of almost 62 metres.

READ MORE: Loans for electric cars surge 90 percent in one month amid fuel crisis

"They've got the umbrellas out, it's very hot today," witness Shane Treloar said in a video posted to Facebook.

"Something's happened to the rollercoaster and they've got stuck. They've got the rescue crew up there, I'd say.

"It's hot on the ground, could you imagine being up there? Very hot."

The mercury was forecast to reach 30 degrees on the Gold Coast today.

Riders were stranded mid-air on the the same rollercoaster in January 2024 after a scarf became tangled in the wheels.

Nearby theme park Dreamworld was the scene of the country's deadliest theme park disaster in October 2016, when four riders were killed following a mishap on the Thunder River Rapids Ride.

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.