AUSTIN, Texas – Visitors to COTALAND experienced unexpected thrills over the weekend as the Circuit Breaker roller coaster malfunctioned on consecutive days. On Saturday, September 26, the ride halted unexpectedly with 19 passengers onboard, leaving them suspended in a vertical position for approximately nine minutes before safely returning to horizontal.
Onlookers captured the moment on video, including Nicholas Thomas, who was riding in the front seat. Having ridden the Circuit Breaker numerous times since its launch in October 2025, Thomas documented the sudden stop as the ride reached its 90-degree drop. “I thought, ‘Uh-oh. This has taken a little longer,'” he recalled, as the ride’s music continued to play during the unexpected pause.
Park personnel quickly assisted the riders, ensuring a smooth evacuation process. “The COTA officials did an amazing job keeping everybody calm, getting us down, talking us through everything,” Thomas noted. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and no medical attention was needed.
Despite the alarming experience, Thomas expressed his continued enthusiasm for the roller coaster, proudly donning a shirt featuring the ride’s image. “Of course, I’m repping the shirt because even though this happened, I still love that ride,” he affirmed.
In a follow-up incident on Sunday, the Circuit Breaker again experienced an operational stop, this time lasting just two minutes before riders were able to exit normally. Park officials reassured the public that such operational halts are standard procedure for sophisticated amusement rides, aiming to safeguard the safety of all passengers.
COTALAND emphasized the ride’s advanced safety features, including numerous sensors that monitor operating conditions. When these conditions are not met, the system may automatically halt the ride to ensure rider safety. “Occasional operational stops are a normal part of operating sophisticated amusement rides,” the park stated in their response, highlighting their commitment to minimizing any inconvenience to guests.
These recent incidents are not the first operational challenges faced by the Circuit Breaker. In December 2025, another malfunction left riders stranded 130 feet in the air for about an hour. A related lawsuit has been filed, citing a sensor pin malfunction that disrupted communication between the ride’s mechanical and computerized systems.
COTALAND remains focused on safety and has reiterated its protocols for handling such situations. They are dedicated to efficiently managing operational stops to ensure a positive experience for all guests while maintaining the highest safety standards.
