Dozen rescued after theme park ride stalls

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VALLEJO, Calif., July 30 (UPI) -- About a dozen people were stuck mid-air when Superman stopped flying at a California theme park.

Riders on the Superman Ultimate Flight rollercoaster were left 150 feet in the air for about two hours when the ride stopped, the Vallejo Times Herald reported.

The riders, in two cars of six, were upright when Superman stalled about 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

The ride, which opened at Six Flags in Vallejo June 30, travels as fast as 62 mph.

Firefighters were called to assist in the rescue, and a crane with a personnel bucket lifted water to the stranded riders.

At one point, the riders appeared to try to shake the cars to loosen them and get them moving again. However, that action did not succeed.

Fire officials said they were prepared to lower the passengers one at a time in the bucket if necessary. However, a mechanic was able to restart the ride, which traveled backward and returned the riders safely to the ground.

It was not immediately known what caused the cars to stop. Park officials said the ride would be closed until a safety inspection could be conducted.