By Anthony Payero
(JACKSON, N.J.) New Jersey officials closed down one of the more popular rides at Six Flags Great Adventure after it partially derailed on Tuesday, according to PIX 11.
El Toro, a 19-story wooden roller coaster, partially derailed after the "rear up-stop wheel," which stops the train from going airborne, came up on top of the rail at around 4:30 p.m., according to Lisa Ryan, spokesperson for the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
Officials have not said what caused the derailment, but the DCA "red tagged" the ride in Jackson, which prevents park goers from having access to the ride, placing it under an engineering review, Ryan said in a statement.
A spokesperson for Six Flags Great Adventure, however, opposed the claims of a partial derailment, saying the ride’s safety systems “worked as designed,” and the train was still on the track.
The spokesperson did say the ride “stopped before completing its cycle,” according to PIX 11.
Visitors at the park who left the ride — 10 minutes after the occurrence — were gifted front-of-the-line passes as amends for time lost.
“The safety of our guests and team members is always our highest priority. After the ride stopped before completing its cycle, all riders were returned to the station and safely exited. The ride will remain closed for a full inspection,” the Six Flags spokesperson said in a statement.
El Toro cannot reopen until DCA is provided a report from the coaster's manufacturers that states what led to the derailment and how to fix the issue, according to Ryan.
This is the second derailment in two weeks at the theme park, according to PIX 11.