Crack in Steel Support Pillar Forces Closure of Carowinds Roller Coaster
A crack in one of the steel support pillars of the Fury 325 ride at Carowinds amusement park in Charlotte has led to the closure of the popular roller coaster. Jeremy Wagner, a season pass holder, noticed the crack while at the park with his family and immediately alerted park employees. Wagner watched as the crack expanded and contracted with each passing roller coaster car, fearing that the pillar could fail and cause a catastrophic accident.
Carowinds describes Fury 325 as “the tallest, fastest, longest giga coaster in North America.” The ride reaches speeds of 95 mph and climbs to a peak of 325 feet before plunging riders into an 81-degree drop and a 190-foot-tall barrel turn. The park’s maintenance crew is currently conducting a thorough inspection of the ride, and it will remain closed until repairs have been completed. A timeline for reopening has not been provided.
Wagner expressed relief that the ride was shut down and holds no ill will towards the park. He trusts the engineers at Carowinds to fix the Fury 325 and make it safe again. He plans to continue visiting the park with his family and will allow his children to ride the roller coaster once it reopens.
Carowinds spokesperson Courtney Weber emphasized that safety is the park’s top priority and thanked guests for their patience and understanding during the closure. The park conducts daily inspections of all rides to ensure their proper functioning and structural integrity.
Wagner’s report serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilant safety measures in amusement parks. The incident highlights the potential dangers that can arise from structural issues and the need for immediate action to prevent accidents.
How did a crack in the steel support pillar of the Fury 325 roller coaster at Carowinds amusement park in Charlotte go unnoticed until a season pass holder alerted park employees?
Carowinds amusement park in Charlotte has been forced to close its popular roller coaster, Fury 325, after a crack was found in one of its steel support pillars. The crack was initially spotted by a season pass holder, Jeremy Wagner, who immediately alerted park employees. Wagner noticed the crack expanding and contracting with each passing roller coaster car, raising concerns about the possibility of a catastrophic accident if the pillar were to fail.
Fury 325 is known as the tallest, fastest, and longest giga coaster in North America, with speeds of up to 95 mph and a 325-foot peak, followed by an 81-degree drop and a 190-foot barrel turn. Carowinds’ maintenance crew is currently conducting a thorough inspection of the ride, and it will remain closed until the necessary repairs have been completed. However, a specific timeline for reopening has not yet been provided.
Wagner expressed relief that the ride was immediately shut down and holds no grievances against the park. He has full confidence in Carowinds’ engineers to effectively fix the Fury 325 and restore its safety. Despite the closure, Wagner plans to continue visiting the park with his family and will allow his children to ride the roller coaster once it reopens.
Park spokesperson Courtney Weber reiterated that safety is Carowinds’ top priority and thanked guests for their patience and understanding during the closure. The park conducts daily inspections of all rides to ensure their proper functioning and structural integrity.
This incident serves as a reminder of the vital role vigilant safety measures play in amusement parks. It underscores the potential dangers that can arise from structural issues and emphasizes the need for immediate action to prevent accidents.
Oh no, what a disappointment! Carowinds’ Fury 325 is such a thrilling roller coaster, it’s a shame it had to be closed due to a crack in the support pillar. Safety always comes first, but I hope it gets fixed soon so we can all enjoy the ride again.