24 stranded on US roller coaster

UPPER MARLBORO, Maryland – Authorities say a roller coaster carrying 24 people has become stuck near the top of the ride and fire officials are trying to rescue them at Six Flags America in Maryland.

Prince George’s County Fire officials were called to The Joker’s Jinx roller coaster just before 2:30 p.m. Sunday. No injuries have been reported.

Assistant Fire Chief Paul Gomez says the riders are sitting upright. He says it will likely take a few hours to get them down.

A Six Flags America spokesman said in a statement that it is not yet clear what caused the ride to stop but that it has a computerized safety system that “performed as it is designed to.”

Six Flags’ website says the ride goes 60 mph (96.5 kph) per hour and turns upside down four times.

Read more...