Passengers stuck in US theme park ride at Knott's Berry Farm

The ride at Knotts Berry Farm. Photo / via Twitter

Twenty people, including seven children, had to be rescued after becoming stuck on a ride 39 metres up in the air at a US amusement park.

The group were on The Sky Cabin at Knott's Berry Farm in Orange Country, California when it became stuck, according to the Orange County Fire Authority (OFCA), KTLA reported.

Knott's Berry Farm stated the ride stopped at about 2pm local time.

The ride's operators made several attempts to lower the attraction before eventually calling fire officials.

Fire crews were called to the scene just before 5pm local time, and tried to reach the passengers by ladder, but the ladder was too short, ABC 7 News reports.

They also attempted to use a gravitational system to slowly lower the ride, but it was unsuccessful.

Fire crews were then forced to use a rope system and lower each passenger one-by-one.
There were no injuries reported, fire officials said.

"What we're gonna do right now is formulate a plan on exactly how to bring them down," Capt. Larry Kurtz earlier told CBS2.

After being stuck for hours, passengers are being helped off the Sky Cabin ride at Knott's Berry Farm https://t.co/ZoT8EVOF6p pic.twitter.com/MgMxFYBv3z

— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) December 31, 2016

All 20 passengers and one ride operator were brought to the ground safely shortly before 10pm local time, according to Knott's Berry Farm representatives.

In a statement, theme park officials said rides are always checked.

"Each of Knott's rides is inspected, check-listed and properly maintained daily. Sky Cabin will remain closed until the park's investigation into the cause of the incident is completed," it said.

It was not immediately clear what may have caused the ride to stall.
Knott's Berry Farm describes the Sky Cabin as a "fully enclosed revolving observation ride."