All 16 people who became trapped on a ride at SeaWorld were freed after an hourslong rescue operation Monday night, according to KTLA sister station KSWB in San Diego.
Six to seven gondolas — some of them suspended above water — stopped functioning after a big gust of wind tripped a circuit breaker on Bayside Skyride around 7:22 p.m., San Diego police told the station.
Nearly two hours into the rescue operation, only one person had been rescued, firefighters said.
But by 10 p.m., eight people had been freed, among them four adults and four juvenile.
Half an hour later, only two people were still awaiting rescue, and all 16 were safely on the ground shortly after 11 p.m., officials said.
The park visitors were lowered by harnesses and taken by lifeguard boats to a dock area to be medically evaluated, the fire department said.
It was 49 degrees at the theme park around 9 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
The gondolas had blankets on board, according to a statement from SeaWorld.
“Once our guests are cared for, we will conduct a thorough inspection of the ride prior to re-opening,” the statement said.
KTLA’s Nouran Salahieh and Erika Martin contributed to this report.
Rescue crews are almost two hours into a rescue operation involving 16 people stuck on a malfunctioning gondola ride at SeaWorld. One person has been rescued at this time. The operation continues . . . pic.twitter.com/bKOpFzPMT4
— SDFD (@SDFD) February 19, 2019
SEAWORLD RESCUE UPDATE: 8 rescues have been performed by our Technical Rescue Team firefighters. 4 adults and four juveniles have been rescued. 8 victims remain.
— SDFD (@SDFD) February 19, 2019
SEAWORLD RESCUE UPDATE: All 16 persons trapped in the gondola ride are safe on the ground. Great job by our Technical Rescue Team firefighters, @SDLifeguards & support staff. pic.twitter.com/tQvF9djg9U
— SDFD (@SDFD) February 19, 2019
#BREAKING San Diego police confirm a strong gust of wind tripped the circuit breaker on the Bayside skyride @ #SeaWorld leaving at least 15 people stuck on the ride some of them suspended above the water. You can see the gondolas illuminated in blue. @fox5sandiego pic.twitter.com/6Jywvuc0fh
— Kasia Gregorczyk (@KasiaGTV) February 19, 2019
We spoke to Jonathan Sherr by phone who is stuck in gondola number four with his 15-year-old son. He says he’s received very little communication from #SeaWorld on how they’ll be rescued. According to Sherr there was a small blanket on board the ride. @fox5sandiego
— Kasia Gregorczyk (@KasiaGTV) February 19, 2019
These girls have been waiting in a parking lot near Ingraham St. for two hours while their family is still stuck in a gondola at SeaWorld. They got off just as the ride was breaking down. @fox5sandiego pic.twitter.com/D7kjhOebEg
— Kasia Gregorczyk (@KasiaGTV) February 19, 2019