21 People Rescued From California Ride Stuck 100 Feet High

Orange County firefighters rescued Knott's Berry Farm patrons who were stuck on a ride Friday, Dec. 30, 2016, in Buena Park, Calif. Officials say firefighters are slowly lowering near to 20 people from an amusement park ride stuck 100 feet in the air for more than five hours Friday night at Southern California’s Knott’s Berry Farm. The riders, both children and adults, were harnessed to firefighters and hugging them tightly as they were lowered one-by-one from the Sky Cabin. Bill Alkofer/The Orange County Register via AP

Firefighters using ropes and harnesses safely lowered 21 people from an amusement park ride stuck 100 feet in the air for more than six hours at Southern California’s Knott’s Berry Farm, officials said.

The riders, both children and adults, were harnessed to firefighters and hugging them tightly as they were lowered one-by-one from the Sky Cabin Friday night.

One girl who appeared to be about 10 years old could be seen smiling as she descended, her turquoise Converse sneakers dangling high above the crowd of onlookers.

Firefighters briefly pulled a large, cherry-picker crane up to the ride but decided not to use it and returned to using the ropes.

The tourists and fun-seekers on the slow-moving ride are most likely hungry, claustrophobic and badly in need of a bathroom, but Orange County Fire authorities and park officials have both said they are not in danger.

Orange County firefighters work to rescue Knott's Berry Farm patrons who were stuck on a ride Friday, Dec. 30, 2016, in Buena Park, Calif. Officials say firefighters are slowly lowering near to 20 people from an amusement park ride stuck 100 feet in the air for more than five hours Friday night at Southern California's Knott's Berry Farm. The riders, both children and adults, were harnessed to firefighters and hugging them tightly as they were lowered one-by-one from the Sky Cabin. Bill Alkofer/The Orange County Register via AP