Coney Island’s Cyclone roller coaster reopens 2 weeks after glitch that left passengers stranded
The Coney Island Cyclone is back up and running — two weeks after the famed Brooklyn coaster was shut down due to a malfunction that left riders stranded mid-ride, halfway up one of the iconic ride’s hills.
The 97-year-old wooden roller coaster at Coney Island’s Luna Park returned to service on Saturday after city inspectors cleared the ride following a series of repairs.
The beloved Big Apple attraction was shut down indefinitely on Aug. 22 after one of the coaster’s trains suddenly stopped halfway up an incline due to a crack on a chain.
The operator was able to stop the ride and several passengers were helped off without injury, the city’s Department of Buildings said.
The DOB “inspected and cleared the ride to open on August 21, 2024” — as recently as a day before the mishap, Luna Park wrote on its website after the incident, adding operators intended to reopen once it passed DOB inspection.
Luna Park was issued two violations as a result of the malfunction: one for failing to maintain the ride and the other for failing to notify the DOB of what happened.
City inspectors said the ride passed its inspection Saturday morning after several days of test runs.
“This American icon has captivated guests for nearly a century, and our dedicated team and attraction engineers continue to ensure that this legendary 97-year-old landmark continues to operate safely and smoothly,” Alessandro Zamperla, president and CEO of the amusement park’s owner, Central Amusement International, said in a statement.
With Post wires.
