Perhaps the fifth time is the lucky one?
For the fifth time since its opening in June, the Siren’s Curse roller coaster has left passengers stuck atCedar Point.
The well-known roller coaster came to a halt at the top of its 160-foot lift hill on July 26, requiring passengers to descend via emergency stairs.
The series of unanticipated “delays,” as described by park spokesperson Tony Clark, have occurred due to the roller coaster’s safety mechanism stopping the ride before or during its iconic tilt section, where passengers are suspended over the Midway prior to the train connecting to the coaster track below.
No one has suffered any harm in any of the five occasions when the roller coaster came to an unexpected halt.
In two cases, the roller coaster came to a halt during the tilt.
If the coaster’s safety mechanism can be restarted, the attraction proceeds through approximately 2,966 feet of winding track, reaching a maximum speed of 58 mph.
If the system cannot be reset, Clark stated, guests are subsequently guided down the evacuation stairs by park staff.
In every case, the ride has managed to reopen.
During the past few weeks, the roller coaster has faced small technical issues — much like a check engine light — which caused it to stop running,” Clark stated. “Its safety system worked properly, ensuring the safety of all visitors. After a full systems inspection, guests either finished their ride and left the station, or were safely guided off the ride if further evaluation was required.
Customer happiness is a top priority for us, and we will keep collaborating closely with the ride’s manufacturer to ensure a seamless experience.
Is the Siren’s Curse a safe ride?
Cedar Point states that the Siren’s Curse includes multiple safety measures to confirm the roller coaster is functioning properly.
These “delays” occur because the protective measures are being activated.
The Coaster101 website notes that the Siren’s Curse averages 240 rides per day, totaling 7,200 over a 30-day span.
And when considering the number of times the ride has had a delay, it makes up only one tenth of a percent.
Coaster fan Nick Weisenberger, a mechanical engineer who has written a few books about the science behind roller coasters and collaborates with Coaster101, stated that the ride’s safety mechanisms are functioning properly.
It’s crucial to recognize that thrill rides are designed with excessive safety measures,” he stated. “There are hundreds of sensors, and they all must concur; otherwise, the ride halts due to an abundance of caution.
Although this kind of roller coaster is new to the United States, he notes that Vekoma-built attractions have been in existence in other nations for a considerable period.
And there have been other cases of atilt roller coaster with passengers hanging freely, including a widely publicized incident in Taiwan in 2019.
Whenever a new roller coaster is constructed, Weisenberger stated, there is a certain “learning curve” for the maintenance and operations team at each park, and such delays are to be anticipated.
Escape from Gringotts at Universal Studios Florida, which debuted in 2014, features three motion base track sections, including a tilt track,” he stated. “It also faced regular shutdowns and evacuations during its initial months before its reliability improved.
Weisenberger mentioned that he has ridden the Siren’s Curse multiple times and enjoyed it, stating he would not hesitate to do so again.
“Being located directly on the Midway is a two-sided situation – it has been beneficial for all the viral videos showing the ride functioning properly, but if it becomes stuck at an impressive angle for just a few minutes, it ends up going viral for the wrong reasons,” he said.
This piece first was published in the Akron Beacon Journal:The Siren’s Curse ride at Cedar Point is stuck once more! Here’s what an expert has to say about the recurring issues
