Six people were hospitalized after SeaWorld’s Manta roller coaster – described as a “head-first, face-down inverted nosedive” – suddenly came to a stop mid-ride.
The thrill-seekers were taken from SeaWorld in Orlando to a local hospital Friday, the Orange County Fire Rescue Department told News 6.
None had life-threatening injuries. Authorities declined to share details about the injuries or how they were caused.
SeaWorld confirmed the park guests had been hospitalized after riding the Manta roller coaster.
On the roller coaster, “riders are taunted by a head-first, face-down inverted nosedive…and that’s just the beginning,” SeaWorld notes on its website.
The amusement park attraction is meant to show guests “what it’s like to spin, glide, skim and fly like a giant ray,” and is described as having an “extreme” thrill level, according to the park.
In a statement, SeaWorld described the incident leading up to the hospitalizations as a “brief operational pause.”
“Friday afternoon, a ride experienced a brief operational pause lasting approximately seven minutes. During that time, six guests reported not feeling well, and emergency services were contacted,” SeaWorld Orlando said.
“Those individuals were transported to a local hospital for evaluation out of an abundance of caution. The ride resumed normal operations shortly afterward. The safety of our guests, ambassadors and animals is our top priority,” the park added.
The Manta roller coaster was up and running again shortly after the incident, WESH reported.
The Independent has contacted SeaWorld for more information.
