Eight students were rescued on May 28 after a roller coaster malfunctioned in Galveston, Texas, fire officials said.The Iron Shark roller coaster at the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier stopped at about 5:21 p.m. local time, according to Houston ABC affiliate KTRK. The Galveston Fire Department rescued the last person on the ride shortly after 9 p.m. local time, Chief Mike Varela Jr. said.Varela said that a manlift usually used to evacuate riders from the coaster had "mechanical issues," requiring the use of the department's Tower 1 engine. He called the twilight rescue a "big challenge" but said his firefighters were "top notch."Varela said eight students were "doing well" and checked for dehydration after the hours-long ordeal. Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported that the students were on a field trip organized by their schools.USA TODAY reached out to the Galveston Fire Department and the Houston Independent School District for comment.Terry Turney, chief operating officer of Pleasure Pier, told USA TODAY that the ride experienced a malfunction "at its initial ascent" but stopped "as designed.""Our focus immediately shifted to the safety of our guests," Turney said. "A thorough inspection of the ride will take place before it is placed back in service."The roller coaster features a 100-foot vertical lift and drop and reaches speeds of 52 miles per hour, according to the pier website. The pier is a part of Landry's Inc., owned by billionaire hospitality mogul Tilman Fertitta.