Four Injured After Roller Coaster Derails at California’s Six Flags Magic Mountain

Story by the Associated Press; curated by Oliver Darcy.

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SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (AP) — A roller coaster derailed Monday at the Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park, slightly injuring four people and leaving about two dozen stranded about 20 feet in the air, authorities said.

Tonight a branch fell on the Ninja coaster track obstructing the train. Riders are all down and safe. Ride closed until cleared.

— Six Flags MM (@SFMagicMountain) July 8, 2014

The Ninja coaster struck a tree branch shortly before 6 p.m. and stopped, said Michael Pittman, a Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatch supervisor.

Televised news reports showed at least one of the cars that normally are suspended beneath a track dangling at an angle, derailed at the front.

Pittman said four people on the ride received minor injuries, but they and other riders remained on the stalled coaster, stranded 20 to 30 feet in the air, more than an hour after the accident.

BREAKING: 20-30 people are stuck on the Ninja ride at #MagicMountain. Report of four minor injuries. #KTLA pic.twitter.com/rLKLyacqv6

— Nidia Becerra (@nidia_b) July 8, 2014

Firefighters had ladders available to rescue them if necessary, he added.

The Ninja coaster can hold up to 28 riders.

"As you shoot down the snake-like steel track you'll grip the hillsides and blast through the trees swiftly, slicing through the landscape. Ninja pivots with precision as you narrowly miss tagging land and water, whipping around at 55 miles per hour," according to the amusement park's website.

Photo purportedly taken by a passenger stuck on Magic Mountain ride https://t.co/HwmFYAo1CY pic.twitter.com/wDFQy2y7Hf

— Jon Passantino (@passantino) July 8, 2014

Six Flags Magic Mountain is in the Valencia area of Santa Clarita, about 25 miles north of Los Angeles.

The Associated Press was unable to reach Magic Mountain representatives after-hours.