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Orlando Eye back open after malfunction left riders stuck

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Orlando Eye attraction is back open after 66 riders had to be rescued when the 400-foot observation wheel malfunctioned.

A team of technicians was able to resolve the issue within the system that monitors the wheel’s position.

Orlando Eye officials said the team ran numerous tests on the ride to make sure it was safe.

Photos: Firefighters help riders after Orlando Eye stops

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Ticket holders who were not able to ride the attraction Friday can use their tickets within the next 30 days.

The ride shut down just before 4 p.m. Friday, leaving riders stranded for about three hours.

The operating systems for the Orlando Eye indicated a technical default with the system that monitors the wheel position.

As a safety precaution, the attraction is designed to automatically shut down if communication with this system is interrupted, officials said.

Power was restored via a backup generator and a technical team at the attraction, backed by firefighters, carried out the task of removing riders from the enclosed capsules after each was brought down to the platform, officials said.

Six elite rescue climbers with the fire rescue squad were dispatched but weren't needed for a climb.

They were part of a 40-person agency special operations team that had climbed the attraction in training before.

On Saturday, the ride will be lit up in red, white and blue in hone of Independence Day with a 20-minute lighting show beginning at 9 p.m.