Six Flags Rides Keep Getting Stuck: Another Malfunction Leaves Guests Dangling

If you’re planning a trip to Six Flags this summer, you might want to double-check your life insurance policy first.

On Friday at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, the Adirondack Outlaw ride malfunctioned and got stuck on its side with guests still strapped in—suspended in the air for at least half an hour. Video from the scene shows mechanics scrambling at the top of the attraction to troubleshoot the problem, while bystanders watched the rescue unfold below. The ride’s design meant that one group of riders had to stay suspended straight up while crews worked to safely lower another set of passengers.

This isn’t the first time in recent weeks that a Six Flags park has had a mechanical meltdown. On June 14, the SkyScreamer ride at Six Flags Over Georgia got stuck, leaving guests dangling over 260 feet in the air. Two serious incidents within a month at the same company’s parks raises some uncomfortable questions about maintenance protocols and safety checks across the chain.

While stuck-ride situations are statistically rare and rarely result in serious injury, they’re also exactly the kind of thing that haunts people’s nightmares about amusement parks. There’s a big difference between the designed thrills of a ride and the unplanned terror of not knowing when—or how—you’re getting back down. The fact that this is happening twice at Six Flags locations in such a short window suggests either a concerning pattern or just some really bad luck. Either way, it’s the kind of news that makes people reconsider whether that roller coaster is worth it this summer.