A nail-biting ride on the famous Cobra at Ratanga Junction turned into a nightmare when the rollercoaster shuddered to a halt high above the ground, leaving riders screaming and fearing for their lives.
In the strong Southeaster on Friday the "thrill" of getting stuck was a frightening experience for the majority of the 16 people trapped in their seats above the theme park.
Rescue workers, including 12 paramedics, two fire-fighters and Ratanga staff, battled for about three hours in the howling wind to untie the harnesses and bring the people to safety.
A 14-year-old boy suffered minor neck injuries and was taken to hospital. Paramedics said people were visibly frightened, many crying and some screaming in fear as the wind gusted strongly, shaking them in their suspended seats. Fortunately the rollercoaster got stuck in the upright position; seconds before it would have swung the riders upside down.
A spokesperson for Ratanga, Maggie Rowley, said paramedics had initially tried to use a cherry picker to take the trapped people down, but realised that the wind was too strong. Extension ladders were used and people were lowered one by one to service areas from where they walked to safety.
She said this was the first time in seven years that something like this had happened at the park.
The Cobra was closed just after noon when the incident happened and late yesterday afternoon engineers were still trying to ascertain the actual cause of the mechanical fault.
The people trapped high above the ground offered a strange view with their kicking legs while the faint screams were an indication that it was a terrifying experience for most. At about 2pm the first person, Andre Manne, from Milnerton, was rescued.
Manne was stuck in the rollercoaster with his three sons, Jonty, 14, David, 21, and Lee, 23, while his worried wife waited in the park.
He said the Ratanga staff had initially tried to get the Cobra moving again, but when they realised that was impossible, they told people to relax and said help was on the way.
Manne praised the staff and the rescue workers for their professionalism and said they were "fantastic". He said it was very cold up there but he never felt his life to be in danger.
Australian tourist Zita Ferreira said she panicked when her son Thomas and his two friends did not answer their cellphones. When she looked at the rollercoaster she recognised their shoes, waved at them and they gave her the thumbs up.
"I was relieved but a little worried about Thomas, because he is scared of heights," she said. Just before 3pm all three were brought down. "The boys will have a lot to talk about," she said, laughing.
This is the last season the Ratanga Junction theme park will operate. The land on which it is situated has been sold to developers and the rides are to be dismantled and sold after Easter.