Several people suffered injuries and five were hospitalized after a roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey malfunctioned at the end of the ride, the amusement park said.
The El Toro roller coaster had a minor accident around 7:30 p.m. Thursday, according to park officials. As the ride was coming toward its conclusion, something malfunctioned and caused multiple injuries to the passengers aboard at the time.
Several people reported back pain, while five guests were taken to a nearby hospital with minor neck, back, mouth and tongue injuries. A total of 14 people were hurt, including the five taken to hospital.
The coaster was shut down after the incident, which occurred just before the park was set to close at its usual time of 8 p.m., the park said.
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The incident is under investigation. Regulators from New Jersey's Department of Consumer Affairs ordered Six Flags to keep the ride shut down, and inspectors were on-site Friday to investigate, the department said in a statement.
Last year, the wooden roller coaster was closed when the rear wheels of the car lifted off the track. No one was injured, but the state fined the park $5,000 for not calling ride officials right away.
El Toro, according to the park's website, is one of the fastest and tallest wooden coasters in the world. The ride reaches speeds of 70 mph and climbs up to 19 stories for one of the steepest drops in the country.
