A sensor malfunction trapped two men 130 feet in the air on a Texas roller coaster for nearly an hour, exposing serious safety concerns at the newly opened COTA Land theme park.
Story Snapshot
- Two riders stuck at 130 feet on Circuit Breaker coaster at 90-degree angle for up to 60 minutes
- Sensor malfunction triggered safety stop during first drop on Wednesday evening
- COTA downplays incident as “occasional delay” despite dramatic rescue operation
- Victims now represented by publicist suggesting potential legal action against park
Dangerous Malfunction at New Texas Theme Park
Two men experienced a terrifying ordeal Wednesday evening when the Circuit Breaker roller coaster at COTA Land malfunctioned during its first drop, leaving them suspended 130 feet above the ground at a 90-degree angle. The ride’s safety sensors triggered an emergency stop that lasted between 36 minutes according to park officials and nearly an hour according to other reports. Rescue teams and paramedics responded to the scene, though the riders declined medical treatment after their dramatic retrieval from the high-altitude position.
COTA Land, located at the Circuit of the Americas racetrack in Austin, Texas, recently opened this high-thrill attraction as their flagship ride. The Circuit Breaker coaster features significant drops and inversions designed to provide extreme thrills for visitors. This incident marks the first major malfunction at the newly established theme park, raising questions about safety protocols and equipment reliability at the facility.
Park Officials Minimize Safety Concerns
Circuit of the Americas issued a statement attempting to downplay the severity of the incident, characterizing it as an “occasional delay” that can occur with amusement attractions. Park representatives emphasized that 25,000 people had previously ridden the coaster without incident, suggesting this malfunction was an isolated occurrence. The statement expressed regret for the inconvenience but failed to address the potential trauma experienced by riders trapped at such extreme height and angle.
The victims have retained a publicist to handle media inquiries, indicating they may pursue legal action against the park. This coordinated media response suggests the riders view the incident as more serious than COTA’s characterization as a minor delay. The decision to engage professional representation typically signals preparation for potential litigation or compensation claims against the theme park operator.
Safety Questions Surround New Attraction
While safety sensors prevented a potentially catastrophic failure by stopping the ride, the extended duration of the malfunction raises concerns about emergency response protocols. Industry standards typically require rapid resolution of such incidents to minimize rider distress and exposure to dangerous conditions. The 90-degree angle at 130 feet created an particularly precarious situation that could have resulted in serious injury if safety restraints had failed.
Roller coaster malfunction leaves two men trapped 130 feet above Texas park for nearly an hour https://t.co/6xpv7w3epH
— News Span Media (@newsspanmedia) December 21, 2025
The incident highlights potential oversight gaps in Texas amusement park regulations and inspection procedures. New attractions like the Circuit Breaker coaster should undergo rigorous testing and safety validation before opening to the public. This malfunction during normal operation suggests either equipment defects or inadequate safety testing during the ride’s initial launch phase at COTA Land.
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