Faulty wheel bearing blamed for Western Playland ride mishap
UPDATE, July 26: The owner of Western Playland amusement park on Monday said a faulty wheel bearing on a roller coaster car was likely responsible for the malfunction of the El Bandito ride over the weekend that stranded eight teenagers.
The teens had to be rescued Saturday night by Sunland Park and West Valley firefighters from the 30-year-old ride.
Owner Patrick Thomson defended the decision to put the roller coaster back in service a day after the mishap, saying the two cars suspected of wheel problems were removed and the ride passed inspection tests and checks.
Western Playland roller coaster back in operation day after stuck teens rescued
UPDATE, July 25: A roller coaster at Western Playland was back in operation Sunday, just hours after it malfunctioned, requiring firefighters to rescue eight teenagers who were stuck on the ride.
Patrick Thompson, who owns the 30-acre amusement park located in Sunland Park, said the cause of Saturday night s mishap remained unclear. An inspection failed to turn up any problems with the ride.
Thompson told ABC-7 that the roller coaster was up and running again Sunday, but without the two cars that became stuck on the top of the ride - about 60 feet up - with the teens in their seats. He indicated the ride would undergo a closer evaluation on Monday.
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