The Cyclone forced to shut down indefinitely

While roller coasters are a major thrill ride, everyone has the fear of experiencing a malfunction while enjoying a whirl around the park. One of the most famous roller coasters in the United States was shut down indefinitely after a major malfunction caused concerns.

The Cyclone is one of the featured rides at Coney Island, but riders will not be able to experience it for an indeterminate amount of time. On Thursday, August 22, riders had to be rescued after the ride got stuck.

“The Coney Island Cyclone is temporarily closed due to a mechanical problem that developed on August 22, 2024, and is currently undergoing repairs,” noted a prepared statement on the Luna Park Coney Island website. “We will reopen the Cyclone roller coaster when the repair is complete and the ride passes its (Department of Buildings) inspection.”

During the ride on Thursday, a crack was found on the chain sprocket that spurred operators to stop the ride entirely. The ride was then inspected on Friday and the owners of the part were hit with violations for operating with damaged equipment and not immediately notifying the department about the issues.

“At Luna Park in Coney Island, safety is our number one priority, and ride maintenance and thorough testing happens daily before Luna Park opens and throughout the day as necessary,” the statement said.

The Cyclone roller coaster is approaching one hundred years old. According to the website, the ride began operating on June 26, 1927. It has become an iconic part of the New York theme park, being featured in various entertainment mediums. Even in its old age, the Cyclone still hits a max speed of 60 miles per hour and is 2,640 feet long.