Thrill seekers attending a Wisconsin festival experienced a harrowing ordeal over the holiday weekend when the roller coaster they were riding became stuck, leaving them suspended upside down for several hours.
During the Forest County Festival in Crandon, the roller coaster unexpectedly halted mid-ride on Sunday, leaving some passengers dangling upside down for a minimum of three hours.
Social media shared videos showing stranded individuals hanging from the motionless roller coaster while rescuers worked their way up the ride to free them. Emergency responders from multiple neighboring counties promptly arrived at the scene to assist the riders.
Crandon Fire Department Captain Brennan Cook stated to the outlet that a “mechanical failure with the ride” caused it to become stuck in an upright position. The exact cause of the malfunction remains unknown at this time.
Captain Cook mentioned that the ride had recently undergone an on-site inspection by the state of Wisconsin, but he did not possess further details. Fortunately, all passengers were safely rescued and transported to the hospital for evaluation. According to an online flyer shared by the Crandon International Off Road Raceway, Sunday was intended to be the festival’s final day.
This incident adds to a series of roller coaster-related mishaps that have garnered attention in recent days. In a North Carolina amusement park, one of its roller coasters was temporarily closed after a visitor noticed a significant crack that caused a support beam to visibly shift out of place as a car filled with passengers raced past. Carowinds confirmed that the Fury 325 was undergoing repairs after being alerted to the issue. The park stated that a comprehensive inspection was underway, and the ride would remain closed indefinitely until the problem was resolved.
You can also read: Austin Fire Department Declares Zero-Tolerance Stance on Fireworks
Additionally, last month in Sweden, a roller coaster train derailed, resulting in one fatality and at least nine injuries.
