Visitors at the Six Flags theme park in Mexico had a harrowing experience when a storm struck, leaving them suspended in the air, and the video footage is nothing short of a ‘nightmare’.
Even if you’ve kept your love for theme parks alive over the years, this incident might make you reconsider.
On August 18, the ‘Sky Screamer’ ride at Six Flags Mexico took on an unexpectedly intense twist.
According to Six Flags Mexico’s website, Sky Screamer, also known as Supergirl Sky Flight, allows guests to soar at a staggering height of 74 meters (242 feet) – roughly the equivalent of eight double-decker buses stacked atop one another.
It’s touted as the ‘tallest and most exciting spinning attraction in the region,’ offering ‘a beautiful aerial view of Mexico City’ and accommodating 32 passengers who fly at ’64 kilometers per hour’.
The ride promises ‘breathtaking panoramic views as guests spin around the park and city below them for nearly two minutes,’ which sounds exhilarating under normal circumstances.
However, things took a turn for the worse for Omar Hernández Medrano when he found himself stuck mid-air during a severe storm.
Hernández captured a chilling video from the ordeal, showcasing an impressive view of the park below despite the dire situation.
Unfortunately, the rest of the scenery was obscured by fog, and riders were getting soaked by the rain as they sat in pairs.
As the wind and rain battered the ride, the metal chains holding the riders appeared less secure, causing them to wobble in their seats.
Hernández recounted: “We went up Supergirl and as it was underway it started to rain and quickly got worse. As we were high up, with the rain and the ride in motion, it stopped and we were stuck at the top for ten minutes in heavy rain.”
It’s no wonder that passengers were clutching the chains and their seats in fear, and social media users quickly voiced their horror.
One Twitter user remarked: “This some s**t you have nightmares about.”
“This why I don’t do roller coasters. I don’t care if it’s rare I ain’t taking that risk,” another added, while someone else commented: “Never catching me on a roller coaster or rides like that. I’ll happily be the guy who holds everyone’s stuff.”
Six Flags released a statement on Twitter on August 22, addressing the incident: [Translation] “On Sunday, August 18, 2024, sudden, heavy rain forced a temporary halt to the operation of a large number of rides and attractions at Six Flags Mexico, including Sky Screamer.
“As part of this process, park staff followed protocols set by the attraction manufacturer and all guests were safely evacuated. Unfortunately, the storm intensified during the evacuation process, creating some uncomfortable moments for our guests. Park staff attended to all guests and no incidents were reported. Sky Screamer resumed normal operation shortly after.
“At Six Flags Mexico, the safety of our visitors and employees is our top priority, as we strive to offer the best entertainment option for the entire family.”