NEW YORK — The famous Coney Island Cyclone roller coaster in New York City was shut down indefinitely after coming to a stop mid-ride this week.
The 97-year-old wooden roller coaster at Luna Park was on its ascent on Thursday when ride operators took it out of service due to a damaged chain sprocket in the motor room. The operator stopped the ride and several people were removed from the roller coaster without injury, according to New York City’s Department of Buildings.
Video posted on social media shows a person being carefully escorted down the tracks.
Inspectors with the buildings department were at the scene Friday and issued the owners of Luna Park violations for the damaged equipment and for failure to immediately notify the department about the incident.
A posting on Luna Park’s website Sunday said the Cyclone will reopen when the repair is complete and the ride passes inspection.
“At Luna Park in Coney Island, safety is our number one priority and ride maintenance, and thorough testing happens daily before Luna Park opens and throughout the day as necessary,” the statement read. “The Coney Island Cyclone is a 97-year-old roller coaster that is meticulously maintained and tested daily.”
The Coney Island Cyclone roller coaster, a beloved icon of the historic amusement park in Brooklyn, New York, has been temporarily closed following a malfunction during a recent ride. The incident has left park-goers and roller coaster enthusiasts concerned about the safety of the iconic attraction.
The malfunction occurred during a routine ride on the Cyclone, which first opened in 1927 and has since become a must-visit destination for thrill-seekers from around the world. According to reports, the ride suddenly came to a halt midway through, leaving passengers stranded on the tracks for several minutes before park staff were able to safely evacuate them.
In response to the incident, park officials have announced that the Cyclone will be closed indefinitely while they investigate the cause of the malfunction and ensure that all necessary repairs are made. This decision has disappointed many visitors who had been looking forward to experiencing the thrill of riding one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in the world.
While malfunctions on roller coasters are rare, they can be a cause for concern among park-goers who rely on strict safety regulations to protect them while enjoying these thrilling attractions. In recent years, there have been several high-profile incidents involving roller coasters at amusement parks around the world, prompting calls for increased safety measures and inspections.
In the case of the Coney Island Cyclone, park officials have assured the public that they are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their guests. They have stated that they will not reopen the ride until they are confident that it is safe for riders to enjoy once again.
For now, visitors to Coney Island will have to find other ways to satisfy their craving for thrills and excitement. The park offers a wide range of other attractions, including carnival games, arcades, and other rides that are sure to keep guests entertained while they wait for the Cyclone to reopen.
In the meantime, fans of the iconic roller coaster can take comfort in the fact that park officials are taking the necessary steps to address the malfunction and ensure that the Cyclone remains a safe and thrilling attraction for years to come. With any luck, it won’t be long before riders can once again experience the heart-pounding excitement of hurtling down the tracks of the Coney Island Cyclone.
