Arr, ye scurvy official claims he be seein' a fearsome split in th' roller coaster's timbers six to ten days afore it be shuttin' down!
2023-07-08
Arrr! A scurvy dog from North Carolina hath revealed in a tale to the press that the fearsome Fury 325 roller coaster did show signs of a treacherous crack to those landlubbers who ventured to the park, a fortnight or so afore 'twas shut down, ye savvy?
A crack was discovered on the Fury 325 giga roller coaster at Carowinds amusement park in North Carolina. A visitor, Jeremy Wagner, noticed the crack on June 30 and informed park officials, leading to the temporary closure of the ride. The crack had been visible for six to 10 days before the closure, according to North Carolina Department of Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson. He stated that pictures taken prior to the closure showed the beginning of the crack, which had completely severed by the time the ride was closed. Dobson emphasized that the ride will not be reopened until they are fully confident in its safety. Carowinds spokesperson stated that a fracture developed on a steel support column along a weld line. The park is working with the ride's manufacturer to fabricate a new support column, which will be delivered next week. Following the installation of the new column, extensive tests will be conducted to ensure the ride's safety and integrity. These tests will include an accelerometer test and 500 full cycles of operation. Once completed, a final inspection will be conducted by the manufacturer and a third-party testing firm. The most recent inspection of the Fury 325 ride conducted by the North Carolina Department of Labor found only minor issues relating to signage. The amusement park's website describes Fury 325 as the tallest, fastest, and longest giga coaster in North America, reaching speeds of up to 95 mph and featuring a dramatic 81-degree drop. A 911 call was made regarding the crack, but no injuries were reported. Amusement park ride safety analyst Ken Martin expressed concern, stating that the Fury 325 was very close to a major incident and compared it to the fireball incident at the Ohio State Fair in 2017, where one person died and seven were injured.