Children trapped upside-down on roller coaster for hours at Carnival Nightmare.

Roller-Coaster Nightmare: Riders Left Suspended Upside-Down for Hours at Wisconsin Amusement Park

A thrilling day at the Forest County Festival in Crandon, Wisconsin turned into a terrifying ordeal for seven children and one adult. The riders found themselves suspended upside-down for over four hours when the Fireball roller-coaster malfunctioned mid-ride.

The heart-stopping incident took place on Sunday, leaving the riders in a state of panic. The City of Antigo Fire Department was called to the scene, located about 40 miles away, as they had a specialized truck with a platform that could assist in the rescue.

Scary video shows riders at a county festival in Crandon, Wisconsin stuck upside down on a ride. The video is from Scott Brass, who says the ride was stuck hanging upside down for more than four hours. More: https://t.co/2JFYQQ4mUD pic.twitter.com/Mk2PrbLFc9

— CBS 58 News (@CBS58) July 3, 2023

Firefighter/EMT Erica Kostichka from the City of Antigo Fire Department bravely walked the frightened children and adult to safety after their rescue. Reflecting on the incident, Kostichka said, “The ride had malfunctioned and we had people who were upside down.”

Despite their fear, the young riders showed incredible bravery. Kostichka noticed their trembling legs and sweat-soaked brows, but reassured them that the worst was over. “They were very brave,” she added.

The cause of the malfunction is still under investigation. Captain Brennan Cook of the Crandon Fire Department stated, “All we know is that there was a mechanical failure with the ride, where it became stuck in the upright position. The ride was recently inspected by the state of Wisconsin on-site, but we currently have no further information.”

During the rescue, one young girl displayed remarkable compassion by urging the rescuers to attend to an older man who was also trapped on the ride. Witness Scott Brass, who captured the incident on video, praised the girl’s courage and suggested she deserved a medal.

Kostichka expressed gratitude for the successful collaboration between different agencies involved in the rescue. “It’s always a great opportunity when you can work with other agencies and it flows well, and the outcome is positive,” she concluded.

The Forest County Festival: A Celebration of Family and Community

The Forest County Festival, held at the Crandon International Off-Road Raceway, is a beloved event in the local community. The festival aims to provide free entertainment for families in the Northwoods region, where such opportunities are limited. Forest County Potawatomi Chairman James Crawford emphasized the importance of the festival, stating:

“We just need more activities for our families to do up here in the Northwoods. We don’t have a lot of large opportunities for families just to get together. Families can’t afford most things. This is just a great way to give back to the local community. Let families get out and play together and be together.”

Following the incident, all the riders were taken to the hospital for observation.

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