EXCLUSIVE: Teen girls recall Jersey Shore ride malfunction that left them stuck hanging upside down
Two 13-year-old friends, Charlotte Hacker and Emilia Gordon, were among more than a dozen people left dangling upside down for five to seven minutes on the Wipe Out ride at Playland's Castaway Cove on the Ocean City, New Jersey boardwalk after it malfunctioned on 5 July. The incident, described by the girls as terrifying, is the latest in a string of ride malfunctions at US amusement parks this year that have raised questions about safety and operator response, though the cause here remains unclear.
The girls, seated together, said they tried to distract themselves with conversation as blood rushed to their heads, with Gordon recalling fears that the lap bars would open and they would fall. After operators restarted the ride, it continued running for several more minutes before they were let off, and the attraction was not shut down afterwards, with other visitors still queuing to ride it. The park offered the girls ticket refunds, which they felt was inadequate; it is unknown whether any injuries occurred, and Fox News Digital has contacted local authorities and the ride's operator for comment.
- Two 13-year-olds stuck upside down for 5-7 minutes on NJ boardwalk ride
- Ride restarted but kept running before riders were released
- Park offered only ticket refunds; cause of fault still unclear
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
This incident demonstrates a serious operational failure warranting immediate intervention. Riders suspended upside down whilst fearing the lap bars would open are in genuine danger; immediate ride shutdown pending investigation is standard safety protocol. The park's response—merely refunding tickets to traumatised teenagers—is inadequate compensation for what they experienced. When multiple US parks have reported malfunctions this year, a precautionary approach to safety is justified rather than allowing continued operation.
The case against
Whilst distressing, no one was harmed and the ride ultimately performed its essential function by safely returning all riders. Investigating incidents whilst allowing safe operation pending findings is standard industry practice; shutting down rides over malfunctions without injuries would be operationally impractical and potentially overreactive. Ticket refunds appropriately compensate riders when no injury resulted. Without understanding the cause, declaring this a systematic safety failure would be premature.