[Dukeis#1]

I was surfing Google Groups when I came across this message (From May 19, 1996):

"The incident on Paramount Carowinds' Drop Zone occurred Friday night
around 20:30 when one of the four vehicles (with three passengers aboard)
became lodged approx. 10 feet from the top of the ride. The other three
vehicles dropped to the landing position while the 4th remained in place.
Local fire and rescue departments were called in to free the guests.
Using rope and harnesses, it took nearly three hours to pluck the
frightened victims from their perch and lower them safely to the ground.

PC PR manager David Mandt said the new ride will remained close until the
problems have been corrected.
"

I was wondering if anyone had any more information on what caused this problem. I couldn't seem to find any on the web. Also, has the ride had any more problems like this?

[Carowindsman]

I have not heard of this the only one i remember was when it got stuck and people were up there for awhile. I have not heard this story and to be honest i believe it is not true but thats just me.

[Jonathan]

I remember the one of the news channels saying something about brakes overheating triggering an emergency stop, but that doesn't sound right at all, and knowing the news, it was probably wrong. That particular side of the tower was closed off for a long time after the incident, if I recall correctly.

[RollerBee]

Hmm, I have never heard of this before.

[Dukeis#1]

I hadn't heard about it either until I ran across the Google post.

[swampfox43]

I remember this incident well. The local news and even CNN had field day with this one as the riders were stuck for 3-4 hours before the cherry-picker lowered them to the ground. This led to a new safety release which was installed on each car that would enable the cars to be manually released if they ever get stuck again.

Here is a newspaper article on the Thunder Road accident which mentions the Drop Zone incident in the last paragraphs.

<a href='http://members.aol.com/wecorhsc/drop.jpg' target='_blank'>NEWSPAPER ARTICLE</a>

[montumax]

I remember seeing it on the news the night it happened. I swear that I thought it was some kind of motor burnout.

[thewinds]

Swampfox is exactly right, manual releases (and other safety devices) were added to prevent this from happening again. If you get a chance, and can get close enough, the weekend before the park opens for the season, emergency evacuations are practiced on rides with “difficult” or “evacuations requiring special equipment.” Maybe you can catch them manually ascending and using a gaffing hook (just like you’d use for fishing) to release the cabin from the elevator.

[carowindsfreak13]

Hmm, this is new. It was good to bring this up.



Why?

Because I wanted to know about it.

[coasterdude89]

I remember this well. I have only riden DZ once, because I haven't been back since then. I didn't ride it before than because I was afriad that it would get sutck w/me on it. That takes a relief off my sholdurs! Next time I ride it, I wont be afraid of getting stuck!

[Trev32]

wow, it would have sucked to be stuck up there.

[RollerBee]

What does it matter if you get stuck as long as it still drops at somepoint. The whole point of it stopping at the top is so you know just when it will drop. It ain't like it is a big deal. You are secure in the seat.

[Trev32]

What does it matter if you get stuck as long as it still drops at somepoint. .

That's the thing, it didn't drop.

And i'm pretty sure you woudlen't have liked being stuck up there for a few hours...

[RollerBee]

It depends weather or not I can get to my camera.

[coasterdude89]

Think about what would happen if a storm came up, or you had to go to the bathroom. How would you feel?