Trapped riders rescued from rollercoaster

PRETORIA, South Africa, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- It took three hours for rescuers to remove 16 riders on a rollercoaster in Pretoria, South Africa, after a mechanical failure trapped the riders.

A 14-year-old boy suffered minor neck injuries and was treated in a hospital, reported the Pretoria News Saturday.

Rescuers had wanted to use a cherry picker to take the trapped riders down, but winds were too strong so extension ladders were used.

People were lowered one by one to service areas and paramedics said people were visibly frightened from the experience.

The ride, named the Cobra, was closed after the accident occurred Friday. Engineers are trying to determine the cause of the mechanical fault.