Galveston, TX — Eight students were safely rescued Thursday evening after spending several hours stuck high above the water on the Iron Shark roller coaster at Galveston’s Pleasure Pier.

Firefighters from the Galveston Fire Department responded to the scene around 5:37 p.m. after receiving reports that the ride had malfunctioned with riders aboard. The students, who were on a field trip organized by Houston ISD’s Energized for STEM Academy Middle School and STEM Academy High School, were left suspended on the coaster for hours.

Galveston Fire Department Chief Mike Varela Jr. confirmed that emergency crews successfully brought all eight students, along with accompanying staff and chaperones, down safely. Thankfully, no one was injured during the incident.

In a statement released Thursday night, Houston ISD expressed gratitude that all participants were unharmed and noted that school administrators had been in direct contact with the students’ families to provide updates and support.

The cause of the roller coaster malfunction has not yet been publicly disclosed. The incident is currently under investigation.