Rye Playland ride leaves thrill seekers hanging

Crews spent Sunday inspecting a Rye Playland ride after a group of thrill seekers got stuck 25 feet above the ground Saturday. Officials said seven people were on the Super Flight roller coaster when

News 12 Staff

May 28, 2014, 8:57 PM

Updated 3,644 days ago

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Rye Playland ride leaves thrill seekers hanging
Crews spent Sunday inspecting a Rye Playland ride after a group of thrill seekers got stuck 25 feet above the ground Saturday.
Officials said seven people were on the Super Flight roller coaster when the ride suddenly stopped and wouldn't restart around 11:30 p.m. due to a faulty sensor.
"It's a sensor that tells the computer that operates the ride that there's a car too close, so it won't let another car go forward," said Westchester Parks Department Commissioner Joe Stout. "It shuts the ride down."
While four people were able to walk off without help, three others were stuck in the air. The Harrison Fire Department used a bucket truck to rescue the people around midnight.
News 12 has learned in the six years that the Super Flight has been at Rye Playland, sensors have malfunctioned periodically. Officials maintain the ride is safe and they expect it to reopen soon.
"You expect that they should check the rides more frequently than I guess they are checking them," said Peter Bianchi, of Scarsdale. "When you hear things like this happening there is a little concern."
While no one was injured in the incident, four people have died at the park over the past four years. Among them was 21-year-old ride worker Gabriela Garin, who was killed on the Mind Scrambler in July.
An investigation found Garin, who was taking a break instead of working, and the ride operator were at fault for her death. No charges have been filed.
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