DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Safety inspectors will investigate why a roller coaster derailed Thursday evening, sending some riders plummeting to the ground and others dangling in the air.
Two people fell 34 feet from the Sand Blaster roller coaster Thursday evening at the Daytona Beach Boardwalk after a car came off the tracks, officials said.
Firefighters said they had to work as fast as they could to remove two riders from a dangling coaster car, which derailed at about 8:30 p.m.
Ten people were rescued from three cars, and six of those people were taken to hospitals, officials said.
The conditions of the injured people are unknown, but they were taken to hospitals under a trauma alert status.
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Friday morning, the derailed car was still dangling off the side of the track.
"I just saw it fall off," a witness said. "I just thought it was part of the ride, because we were kind of far away. And then we heard a big bang and people screaming like they were hurt."
"It was barely hanging on by a thread," the witness said. "It looked like it could have snapped off at any point. It looked like plastic was literally holding it."
I’m asking the state this morning about whether it has recorded a history of problems at this rollercoaster at the Daytona Boardwalk. pic.twitter.com/M4Nk3rPPfX
— Ty Russell (@TRussellCBS4) June 15, 2018
Northbound lanes of North Ocean Avenue were closed while firefighters removed people from the ride.
No other details were given.
Watch firefighters rescue riders below:
Update: 10 riders rescued. 6 taken to hospital.
— DaytonaBeachFireDept (@DaytonaBeachFD) June 15, 2018
9 riders total extricated from the roller coaster. 6 of which being transported to the hospital. Unknown extent of injuries. 2 patients fell to ground from 34 feet.
— DaytonaBeachFireDept (@DaytonaBeachFD) June 15, 2018
DB Firefighters working as fast as they can to rescue 2 riders that are in a dangling rollercoaster car pic.twitter.com/v0UrChJdHC
— DaytonaBeachFireDept (@DaytonaBeachFD) June 15, 2018
#DBFD Removing riders from rollercoaster pic.twitter.com/ilFDDeikra
— DaytonaBeachFireDept (@DaytonaBeachFD) June 15, 2018
#DBFD on scene at the Boardwalk in Daytona Beach rescuing riders from a roller coaster car that derailed and are hanging pic.twitter.com/BFDRa8hFiI
— DaytonaBeachFireDept (@DaytonaBeachFD) June 15, 2018
Daytona Beach Firefighters in the process of rescuing riders from rollercoaster accident at Boardwalk pic.twitter.com/vm1GctCGhq
— DaytonaBeachFireDept (@DaytonaBeachFD) June 15, 2018
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