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)
Carowinds amusement park reopened a ride that was closed in late June after a visitor discovered a crack on the roller coaster's support beam.
A spokesperson for Carowinds told Fox News Digital the Fury 325 giga roller coaster reopened on Thursday following a final inspection by the North Carolina Department of Labor.
"Carowinds today announced that Fury 325 has reopened following the completion of the repair and testing process, and a final inspection by the North Carolina Department of Labor's Elevator and Amusement Device Bureau (the Bureau). The return to operation marks the end of a comprehensive plan dedicated to ensuring the safety and operational readiness of the coaster," reads the statement. "Earlier today, August 10, the Bureau conducted a final inspection and formally approved reopening of the ride."
The ride initially closed on June 30 when Jeremy Wagner, a visitor to the amusement park, saw the crack and notified park employees and the local fire department.
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)
A spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Labor confirmed to Fox News Digital that a certificate of operation was issued on Thursday.
Video shared with Fox News Digital shows the area around the crack shaking, exposing an air gap that could be seen where the weld should have been.
The reopening of Fury 325 comes after weeks of tests after the ride's manufacturer fabricated a new steel support beam, which was installed, according to the statement. Carowinds says the ride was operated for "500+ full cycles, performing tests and inspections to ensure the ride’s integrity throughout that period."
During a July interview, North Carolina Department of Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson said "until we're 100% comfortable issuing that new certificate of operation, we will not do so."
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)
A certificate of operation is required for the ride to operate.
"We're going to take as long as it takes," Dobson said.
In late July, the North Carolina Department of Labor told Fox News Digital that it was informed of a second structural issue on the ride. In a statement, the agency said it was informed of a second "weld indication," which "could be either a break or a crack."
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)
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.
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People ride a roller coaster at the Carowinds amusement park on Monday, July 3, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Carowinds straddles the border of North Carolina and South Carolina, but Fury 325 is on the park's North Carolina side.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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