What was supposed to be a thrilling day at Wisconsin’s Forest County Festival theme park took a harrowing turn on Sunday when a rollercoaster malfunction left eight passengers suspended upside down for an extended period.
The Crandon Fire Department confirmed that a mechanical failure caused the Fireball ride to become stuck in an upright position, trapping riders in an uncomfortable and disorienting predicament.
Videos capturing the incident circulated rapidly on social media, displaying the courageous efforts of rescuers scaling the immobile ride while anxious passengers awaited their rescue, helplessly dangling within the large loop section of the track.
Given the height of the ride and the complexity of the situation, specialized equipment and additional rescue teams were called to the scene, as detailed in a joint news release issued by the fire department and the Crandon Area Rescue Squad.
After an agonizing 45-minute wait, a ladder truck equipped with a 30.5-meter (100-foot) platform arrived from a neighboring city, signifying a glimmer of hope for those stranded above.
Firefighters from multiple cities collaborated with the Crandon Fire Department to meticulously coordinate the rescue operation. Nearly two hours after the emergency teams were mobilized, the first passenger was safely brought back to solid ground.
The ordeal concluded more than three hours after the rollercoaster initially stalled when the final passenger was successfully rescued.
Emergency medical services promptly attended to the nine individuals involved, with one person requiring transportation to Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital via ambulance, according to the news release.
Given the gravity of the situation, an extensive response effort unfolded, involving ten fire vehicles, nine ambulances, and a total of 50 personnel from three counties.
The incident occurred just days after a vigilant father discovered a crack in a steel support pillar atop a rollercoaster at Carowinds amusement park in Charlotte, North Carolina, further amplifying concerns surrounding ride safety across various locations.