Two men were stranded 130 feet above the ground on the Circuit Breaker roller coaster at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) on Wednesday night. The incident began around 8:50 p.m. when the ride malfunctioned at the first drop, leaving the riders hanging at a 90-degree angle.
Incident Details
The Circuit Breaker was the first attraction to open at COTALAND, a theme park within the racetrack. A video sent to KXAN by COTA shows the cars stopping at the drop, with the two men visible at the 1:30 mark. The riders, 24-year-old Matthew Cantu and 20-year-old Nicholas Sanchez, had boarded the coaster expecting the usual thrill.
Response and Timeline
According to an email from a publicist representing the riders, “For more than 30 minutes after the ride stopped, family members reported receiving no clear updates, while witnesses said staff provided conflicting explanations, including comments that the riders ‘weren’t strapped in correctly,'” the email stated. A COTA spokesperson later said, “a sensor triggered a ride delay.” The delay lasted 36 minutes before a relative called 911.
With no emergency crews on scene by 9:28 p.m., the family called 911. COTA’s on-site EMS arrived at 9:40 p.m., followed by Travis County Fire Rescue and Austin-Travis County EMS, who questioned the delayed notification. COTA staff resolved the malfunction, and the rest of the ride “proceeded without incident,” the spokesperson said.
Riders’ Health and Release
Austin-Travis County EMS evaluated both men on Thursday and reported that neither required medical treatment. Both riders were able to leave the park at 10:04 p.m. Due to the suspension, Cantu experienced “lightheadedness and symptoms consistent with blood pooling,” and Sanchez had “numbness in his upper leg,” according to their email.
Statements from COTA and Riders
“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 spokesperson said. The riders added that COTA has not contacted them about the incident. “While we understand unexpected situations can arise, clear and timely communication and follow-up are especially important in situations like this,” they said in a joint statement. “As of now, we have not been contacted by [COTA] regarding the incident, and we’re sharing our experience in the hope of greater transparency and understanding. We’re grateful the situation wasn’t worse.”
Fire Department Response
The Austin Fire Department and Travis County Fire Rescue also responded to the scene Wednesday night, arriving after the initial 911 call and assisting with the emergency services that arrived at 9:40 p.m.
Key Takeaways
- Two riders were stranded 130 feet above the ground for 36 minutes after a sensor fault on COTA’s Circuit Breaker.
- Emergency services arrived at 9:40 p.m., and the riders were evaluated by EMS with no medical treatment needed.
- COTA’s spokesperson cited a sensor-triggered delay, while riders complained of a lack of communication.
The incident highlights the importance of clear communication and rapid response during amusement park emergencies. While the riders were ultimately safe, the delay and lack of updates caused significant distress for families and staff alike.
Closing
COTA’s handling of the situation will likely be scrutinized by park patrons and safety regulators. The riders’ public statement underscores the need for better transparency and faster updates in the event of ride malfunctions. As the park prepares for future guests, the lessons learned from this 36-minute ordeal will shape how COTA manages similar incidents in the future.
