KTLA

Mechanical issues stall rides at Universal Studios

Riders were stuck on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride at Universal Studios Hollywood on Thursday, April 7, 2022. (KTLA)

Nearly a dozen people were stuck on two theme park rides at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday afternoon after the rides encountered mechanical issues.

Los Angeles County firefighters responded to the theme park in Universal City around 3:45 p.m. after 11 people became stuck on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride within the Wizarding World Of Harry Potter section of the park, officials said.

First responders and park workers were able to slowly get riders off the theme park ride, which takes riders along an indoor track that Universal says features “sudden tilting, turning and jarring action,” and “abrupt multi-directional motion that turns you on your back.”

County Fire also confirmed that there was an additional mechanical issue affecting Transformers: The Ride 3D in the lower portion of the park that left riders stranded.

By around 6:10 p.m., all riders were safely removed from the rides, fire officials said.

The exact type of mechanical issue is unclear at this time, but a power outage was reported in the area at the time. There have not yet been any reports of injuries related to the stalled rides.