Twenty-two thrill-seekers endured a harrowing experience at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, when a popular spinning ride malfunctioned, leaving them suspended six stories above the ground for more than two hours on November 18, 2024.
The Sol Spin ride, which features six independently rotating arms designed to spin riders in three different directions simultaneously, experienced technical difficulties around 2:00 p.m., forcing an immediate halt to its operation.
Fourteen-year-old Yandel Espinoza, who was on the ride with his brother and cousin, described the moment of malfunction: “It spun two times around and then when we hit the top, it stopped. Then it shut down and we got stuck up there and we started panicking. We felt like we were gonna die.”
While none of the trapped riders were suspended completely upside down, 13-year-old Jaedyn Cannon reported being stuck in an awkward position.
Park maintenance crews initiated emergency procedures according to both manufacturer and park protocols, working methodically to rescue the stranded guests. Using a crane, technicians conducted repairs on the malfunctioning ride before carefully lowering each arm to allow for evacuation.
By 4:30 p.m., all riders were safely evacuated from the attraction. Several individuals were observed limping as they departed the area, with at least one person requiring wheelchair assistance. Two female riders were transported to a local hospital for evaluation “out of an abundance of caution,” according to a park spokesperson.
The Sol Spin, manufactured by Netherlands-based company Mondial Rides, opened at the park in 2017 and is classified as one of Knott’s Berry Farm’s highest “thrill level” attractions.
The incident recalls previous technical issues with similar attractions at the park. In 2012, a different Mondial Rides attraction called Windseeker experienced multiple malfunctions across various locations, resulting in riders being stranded at significant heights.
Park officials have not yet determined the exact cause of the malfunction. In an official statement, the park acknowledged that “the Sol Spin ride experienced technical difficulties causing the ride to stop mid cycle.”
The Orange County Fire Authority was present at the scene on standby, though park staff managed the entire rescue operation independently.