A heart-stopping moment unfolded when a missing child was seen walking along the monorail tracks at Hersheypark, Pennsylvania. This incident was far more terrifying for the parents than any rollercoaster ride at the popular amusement park.
Footage showed the young boy by himself on the tracks, reportedly at a height exceeding 100 feet above the ground. A quick-thinking stranger has been hailed as a hero for climbing up to rescue him.
The family reported the boy missing on Saturday, August 30, shortly after 5pm. Within 20 minutes, he was spotted on the monorail tracks and was safely reunited with his family by 5:30pm.
The boy had been near the monorail station about 20 minutes prior to his perilous walk. The monorail, known for offering a scenic tour of the park, was confirmed to be closed during the incident.
While on the tracks, the child appeared anxious as park visitors yelled from below, urging him to either pause or continue moving.
A man climbed onto the roof of a structure, believed to be an ice cream shop, to assist in bringing the child down safely.
Online, the man’s actions were widely praised. One commenter called him a ‘hero,’ while another suggested, “Give this man free tickets for life. That’s the kind of guest every park dreams of having.” Another remarked, “This is America at its best.”
In a public statement, Hersheypark declared: “Our team members immediately responded after he was spotted on the tracks, and at approximately 5:28 p.m. the child was safely reunited with his family. He was unharmed.
“We are grateful for the vigilance of our guests and the swift response of our team, and we remain committed to maintaining the highest levels of guest safety throughout Hersheypark.”
Hersheypark also noted that the station the boy entered was in a secured area, with the ride not operational and barricades in place.
This incident occurred just over a month after a tragic event at the park, where a nine-year-old girl drowned in the wave pool. Police later deemed the death an accident, affirming that Hersheypark adhered to safety protocols at the time.
Hersheypark, originally established in 1906 by chocolate magnate Milton S. Hershey as a recreational area for his employees, now covers over 120 acres. It features more than 70 rides and attractions, including rollercoasters, a water park, and the renowned Chocolate World experience.