A day of boardwalk thrills took a frightening turn when a popular ride suddenly stopped, leaving passengers stuck in a position no rider wants to experience.
Video posted to Instagram appears to capture the Wipe Out ride on the Ocean City Boardwalk frozen in mid-cycle, with riders hanging upside down while alarmed onlookers watched from below.
In the footage, women can be heard screaming as a bystander calls out words of comfort to the people trapped on the ride.
Riders were left suspended upside down after the Wipe Out ride malfunctioned at the Ocean City, New Jersey, boardwalk. (@caitlingulli/TikTok)
“You’re alright honey! You’re alright!” one person is heard shouting in the clip.
The incident quickly drew attention online, where many social media users said they were thankful the ride’s safety restraints appeared to hold during the scary malfunction.
“On a positive note: whoever designed the safety harnesses should get a MASSIVE raise,” one Instagram commenter wrote.
Visitors enjoy an evening on the Ocean City Boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Image)
Others said the incident reminded them of similar experiences.
“My cousins were stuck on a ride in Ocean City 20 years ago. Still happening,” another commenter wrote.
The Ferris wheel at the Ocean City Boardwalk is seen at sunset. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images)
Some viewers tried to lighten the mood, with one writing, “You are in fact not alright honey, you’re upside down for way longer than you should be.”
It was not immediately clear what caused the apparent malfunction, how long riders remained suspended, or whether anyone was injured.
News Outlet has reached out to the Ocean City Fire Department, Ocean City Police Department, the ride’s operator and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for comment.
