‘I would have an absolute panic attack’: Riders forced to climb down Six Flags’ tallest roller coaster after it suddenly stops mid-loop
A living nightmare.
Six Flags New England just had a major roller coaster malfunction that left riders stranded mid-air, forcing them to climb down the tallest coaster in the park. The incident happened on April 24, when Superman the Ride suddenly stopped during its loop, leaving passengers stuck high above the ground. The evacuation shows guests carefully stepping down a steep section of track using a narrow maintenance walkway, which had commenters on X freaking out.
The park confirmed that all riders were safely unloaded from the coaster, with trained employees guiding them down. According to Fox News, Six Flags New England released a statement saying, “On Friday, April 24 the ride did not complete its typical cycle. Trained employees safely unloaded all guests from the ride. Our team was in constant contact with the guests, and all riders were invited to return to the park.”
Reactions online were mixed, with some users expressing sheer terror at the thought of being stuck that high up. One X user wrote, “I would have an absolute panic attack,” while another said, “Well that’s terrifying, given I have ridden that coaster multiple times.”
A few commenters were more pragmatic
One person said, “You’d think they have better options, especially if a child was stuck up there. I’d have no problem climbing down though.” Others tried to find the silver lining, with one user joking, “At least they weren’t stuck upside down. That would be my nightmare lol.”
Superman the Ride is one of the park’s most iconic attractions, and Six Flags New England markets itself as the “Thrill Capital of New England.” The park, located in Agawam, Massachusetts, is one of the largest in the region, known for its high-speed coasters and massive water park, Hurricane Harbor.
It’s also the oldest Six Flags location, originally opening in 1870 as Gallup’s Grove before rebranding after Six Flags acquired it in the late 1990s. For most of the 20th century, it operated as Riverside Park, so it’s got some serious history behind it.
This incident comes just days after another Six Flags park had its own drama
Six Flags St. Louis saw chaos on its opening day when fights broke out involving as many as 100 people, most of them juveniles. Police were called in, and about half a dozen teens were detained, though no injuries or property damage were reported. The park was recently sold to a new owner, Enchanted Parks, so this was a pretty rough way to kick off the new season.
Eureka Police Chief Michael Werges said that officers responded quickly and managed to disperse the crowd before things escalated further. The St. Louis park is one of seven properties Six Flags sold off, so the new ownership is probably hoping this isn’t a sign of things to come.
Roller coaster malfunctions are rare, but when they happen, they’re always a little terrifying. Most modern roller coasters have secure safety systems to prevent riders from getting stuck in dangerous positions, but this incident shows that even the best-designed rides can have off days. The fact that no one was hurt is the most important thing, but it’s still unsettling to see riders having to climb down like that.
Six Flags New England is about 25 miles north of Hartford, Connecticut, and 90 miles west of Boston, so it’s a major destination for thrill-seekers in the Northeast. The park’s lineup includes some of the most intense coasters in the region, so it’s no surprise that a malfunction on its tallest ride would grab attention. The video of the evacuation has been circulating online, and it’s definitely one of those things that makes you pause before strapping into a coaster again.
That said, amusement parks are generally very safe, and malfunctions like this are extremely rare. The park’s response – keeping riders informed and offering them a return visit – was a smart move, even if the experience itself was probably pretty nerve-wracking.
(Featured image: Rene Schwietzke from Jena, Germany)
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