SeaWorld rescue: Firefighters rescue 16 people from San Diego ride

Firefighters have rescued 16 people trapped in gondolas for several hours on a ride at the SeaWorld amusement park in San Diego.

Some of those trapped were lowered using harnesses, rescuers say.

Gondolas malfunctioned after a gust of wind tripped a circuit breaker on the Bayside Skyride, police in the US city told FOX5 News.

The National Weather Service says it was about 49F (9C) in San Diego at the time of the incident.

The rescue, which started at about 18:00 local time (02:00 GMT), came to an end just before 23:00.

Nine adults and seven young people were trapped on five gondolas, the San Diego fire rescue department (SDFD) said.

Among those rescued were an infant and a partially paralysed passenger who had recently suffered a stroke, local TV reported.

Lifeguards were also on hand in the water below during the rescue, it says.

SeaWorld said it had been in contact with the guests via intercom during the rescue, and that blankets were available on board each gondola.

The company added it would conduct a "thorough inspection" of the ride before re-opening it.