DALLAS — Two thrill-seekers were trapped for more than two hours Monday night, dangling 50 feet in the air on a bungee ride at a Northwest Dallas amusement center.
Thalia Rodriguez, 23, brought her 26-year-old fiance William Mancera to the Zero Gravity Thrill Park at Interstate 35E and Walnut Hill Lane to try the "Texas Blastoff" ride.
They got on the ride around 7:30 p.m., but after the 60-second experience ended, the cables apparently locked up — leaving the couple dangling in mid-air.
The manager was unable to rectify the situation, so he called in Dallas Fire-Rescue.
Firefighters used an aerial ladder truck to reach Rodriguez and Mancera. Working slowly and deliberately to ensure their safety, they were able to bring them back down to the ground shortly after 10 o'clock.
The riders appeared to be okay following their ordeal, but they were checked by paramedics and then taken to a hospital for further observation.
Rodriguez' brother said one reason they went on the ride is so that Mancera could face his fear of heights.
Shortly after midnight, Mancera posted this message on WFAA's Facebook page:
we made it home safe... thanks to the dallas fire deparment for helping me and my wife to be get home safe!
The Zero Gravity Thrill Park's Web site claims "a flawless safety record since our first day back in 1992." It says the Texas Blastoff ride is built around two steel towers and features four "super-elastic bungee cords" that "maintain an unbreakable grip on the seats."
E-mail jwhitely@wfaa.com
