North Carolina amusement park visitor discovers crack on rollercoaster while people were on ride
An amusement park visitor in North Carolina discovered a crack in the support pillar of a rollercoaster while people were riding it this week. (Credit: Jeremy Wagner)
A second structural issue at a Carowinds amusement park roller coaster in North Carolina was discovered just about a month after a major crack was discovered on the ride.
The initial crack on Carowinds' Fury 325 giga roller coaster was discovered on a steel support beam by Jeremy Wagner, a visitor to the amusement park on June 30. He notified park officials of the crack, which was seen while people were on the ride, and it was temporarily closed.
Video of the roller coaster crack shared with Fox News Digital shows the area around the crack shaking, and an air gap could be seen between where the weld should have been.
According to the amusement park, it was in the process of working with the ride manufacturer to install a new support column and testing was underway.
A crack on Carowinds Fury 325 giga roller coaster was spotted last week and inspectors were at the North Carolina park on Monday. On Thursday, the park said a new support column was being made to replace the defective one. (Credit: Jeremy Wagner)
However, the North Carolina Department of Labor said in a statement on Friday that the agency has been informed of a second "weld indication," which "could be either a break or a crack."
Meredith Watson, a spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Labor, said in a statement that "No certificate of operation has been issued nor do we have a timeline of when the certificate of operation will be issued for the Fury 325."
A certificate of operation is required for the ride to operate.
When contacted by Fox News Digital, a Carowinds spokesperson said that during maintenance reviews, "it is not uncommon to discover slight weld indications in various locations of a steel superstructure. It is important to note that these indications do not compromise the structural integrity or safety of the ride."
CAROWINDS AMUSEMENT PARK ANNOUNCES NEXT STEPS AFTER POTENTIALLY DEADLY ROLLER COASTER CRACK EXPOSED
The Fury 325 roller coaster at Carowinds amusement park is seen on Monday, July 3, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
"We are conducting a full maintenance review of Fury 325 during this testing process. This maintenance review – which is consistent with routine off-season procedures – includes a review of the steel superstructure, the trains, and the ride control system," the spokesperson said. "When such indications are found, we conduct non-destructive testing to determine the appropriate remedy. Once a repair is completed, it undergoes inspection and approval before the ride is deemed operational. Additionally, as is customary, we conduct test cycles to ensure its smooth operation before guests are allowed on the ride."
The spokesperson added that it is continuing to "conduct a comprehensive series of detailed tests and inspections in preparation for the reopening of Fury 325."
People ride a roller coaster at the Carowinds amusement park on Monday, July 3, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
North Carolina Department of Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson said earlier in July that "until we're 100% comfortable issuing that new certificate of operation, we will not do so."
"We're going to take as long as it takes," Dobson said.
A spokesperson for Carowinds, which is located outside of Charlotte, told Fox News Digital that the park's maintenance team is conducting an inspection of the ride while it's closed. (Credit: Jeremy Wagner)
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The amusement park's website states that Fury 325 is "the tallest, fastest, longest giga coaster in North America."
The roller coaster reaches speeds of up to 95 mph and has a peak height of 325 feet, which is followed by a "dramatic 81-degree drop, the website states.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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