‘High-speed’ zip line crash leaves injured riders stuck 200 feet in air, Coast Guard says
.png "Both riders sustained “multiple injuries” caused by a “high-speed collision” while on the zip line, officials said.")
Two people were left injured and stranded 200 feet in the air after a “high-speed” zip lining accident in the U.S. Virgin Islands, officials say.
On Friday, Nov. 1, a 58-year-old and a 32-year-old, both of whom are U.S. citizens, were riding a zip line when “they sustained multiple injuries associated with a high-speed collision,” according to a news release from the Coast Guard.
They were riding at Carambola Zip Line, the Coast Guard said. Located in St. Croix, it’s touted as the “Virgin Islands’ Most Scenic Zip Line,” per the business’s website.
The Coast Guard was notified by rescue crews in St. Croix, and a complex rescue operation was launched. Due to the dense jungle surrounding the zip line platform, and with the riders being trapped 200 feet above the ground, the Coast Guard took to the air to save them.
Video shared by Coast Guard officials shows a helicopter hovering above the zip line platform while rescuers rope down, secure the two riders into stretchers and hoist them up to safety.
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Officials didn’t specify the extent of their injuries or the cause of the zip line crash, but they said both were taken to a hospital in Puerto Rico.
“We are deeply concerned about the injury that occurred on our premises. Our thoughts are with the individuals, and we are hoping for their full recovery,” Carambola Zip Line said in a Nov. 2 Facebook post. “Our team took immediate action to provide assistance and contacted emergency services right away. Safety is at the core of our values, and we are conducting a thorough review of the incident to understand how it happened and to reinforce our commitment to a safe and fun experience for all.”
St. Croix is one the largest islands among the U.S. Virgin Islands and is a popular tourist destination.
This story was originally published November 3, 2024 at 11:24 AM with the headline "‘High-speed’ zip line crash leaves injured riders stuck 200 feet in air, Coast Guard says."