Riders Stranded On Coaster

(June 18, 1999) A roller coaster jumped the tracks at the Worlds of Fun amusement park, leaving some of its riders dangling at a 90-degree angle until firefighters could free them.

Two cars carrying four passengers dangled at a 90-degree angle about 20 to 30 feet above the ground after the accident, which happened about 10 p.m. Saturday night. Crews used chains to secure the cars to the track before helping the riders down ladders, a fire department spokesman said.

It took crews from the Kansas City Fire Department about an hour to extricate all 18 riders from the Orient Express roller coaster, department spokesman Brad Humston said.

Ambulance crews treated some of the injured at the scene, but none of the injuries was considered life-threatening. The park remained open.

Two people taken to North Kansas City Hospital were in good and fair condition, a nursing supervisor said. Conditions of the others being taken to hospitals were not known, Humston said.