SheiKra riders stranded

By Times Staff
Published October 31, 2005

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TAMPA - Twenty-four riders were temporarily stranded Sunday afternoon on Busch Gardens' SheiKra roller coaster after it stopped because of its automated safety system.

It was the second time this month the popular coaster shut down in action. On Oct. 15, SheiKra stopped when an error was detected in its air compressor.

About 1:30 p.m. Sunday, a sensor determined an oil pump was not functioning, said Robyn Hanke, a Busch Gardens representative.

Riders were evacuated in about an hour, she said, and the coaster resumed operation in about two hours.

"Of course we offer our guests anything we can do to make up" for the inconvenience, Hanke said. "But safety is our No. 1 priority."