Large crack spotted in roller coaster calls for closure

A roller coaster at an amusement park in Charlotte, NC, shut down Friday after a visitor noticed a large crack in one of the attraction’s pillars.

The Carowinds amusement park said it closed the roller coaster, dubbed Fury 325, “after park staff became aware of a crack at the top of a steel mainstay.”

The ride will remain closed while the crew makes repairs, said Courtney McGarry Weber, a spokeswoman for the park.

Jeremy Wagner, who visited the park with his daughter, son, niece and his son’s friend on Friday, recorded a video of the crack.

Footage he recorded shows the pillar momentarily coming loose at the crevice as a roller coaster car zooms by on the track.

“I was trying to record the video and my hands were shaking because I knew how quickly this could become catastrophic,” Mr Wagner said.

Mr Wagner, who had just bought his children a season ticket to the park, said he recorded the damage from the car park. His 14-year-old daughter had been on the ride eight times on Friday, he said.

With a height of 100 meters, Fury 325 is one of the main attractions of Carowinds.

It can carry dozens of riders and send them hurtling at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour during its 3+ minute ride. according to the park’s website.

Carowinds bills the ride, which opened to the public in March 2015, as the “longest giant roller coaster in North America.” Roller coasters with a drop from 300 feet to 399 feet are known as giga coasters.

Mr Wagner said he handed his footage to park officials before leaving on Friday but only learned of the ride’s closure after he got home.

“I’m thankful they did,” he said. “Even though that is their number 1 attraction in the park.”

The rest of the Carowinds, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, remained open Saturdays and Sundays, according to the park’s website.