North Carolina roller coaster closes after discovering crack on pillar
A North Carolina amusement park closed one of its roller coasters Friday after park personnel became aware of a crack on the top of a steel support pillar on the ride, park officials said.
Carowinds said the park’s maintenance team is conducting a “thorough inspection” of the Fury 325 roller coaster and it will remain closed until repairs have been completed, the amusement park said in a statement sent to USA TODAY.
“Safety is our top priority and we appreciate the patience and understanding of our valued guests during this process,” Carowinds said in the statement. “As part of our comprehensive safety protocols, all rides, including Fury 325, undergo daily inspections to ensure their proper functioning and structural integrity.”
Carowinds advertises the Fury 325 ride as the “tallest, fastest, longest giga coaster in North America,” the park says on its website.
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The video shows the Fury 325 crack moving out of place while guests are on the ride
The video of the ride shows the support pillar moving out of place as Fury 325 passengers were on the roller coaster. Carowinds did not say how long repairs would take, but the rest of the park will remain open.
The Fury 325 first opened in 2015 and cost about $30 million to build, according to news outlets, the Associated Press reported.
Contributing: The Associated Press
