A swinging ride at an amusement park in New Hampshire malfunctioned over the weekend, leaving a dozen riders stranded mid-air.
Twelve guests were riding the Time Winder at Canobie Lake Park in Salem, New Hampshire, on Sunday, October 25, when the ride “experienced a power issue,” according to a spokesperson for the park.
“The 12 riders who were approximately 30 feet in the air were removed by members of the Salem, NH Fire Department in conjunction with the Park’s Maintenance Team in accordance with Park procedures,” the spokesman said.
According to the Salem Fire Department, all riders were safely brought to the ground with no injuries.
According to the park’s website, the Time Winder is described as a “dynamic family ride” with four rotating arms, each carrying eight gondolas for up to 32 passengers.
“The hypnotic movement, with arms swinging in circular motions around horizontal axes, creates an engaging experience,” the website states.
Riders must be at least 42 inches tall to ride. Riders between 42 inches and 48 inches must ride with a supervising companion over 48 inches.
The spokesperson said the attraction is currently closed until further notice.
The Fire Department stated it was the first time in an 18-year career that Salem fire crews had been called to assist with a ride at the park.
But earlier this month, the Untamed Roller Coaster also stopped going up a hill, and the riders had to be removed. A spokesperson said the two incidents were “completely separate issues.”
The State Fire Marshal’s Office stated it was working with the park to determine the cause of the malfunctions on both rides.
“We are aware of the recent incidents that led to the evacuation of guests from rides at Canobie Lake Park,” the office said. “Our inspectors are working closely with the park’s management team to assess what caused these malfunctions and to ensure the continued safety of all guests.”
The 30-foot elevation where riders were stranded represents approximately three-story height, creating frightening situation for passengers suspended in gondolas without ground contact while awaiting rescue from fire department personnel.
The Sunday, October 25 timing places the incident during peak fall season when New England amusement parks experience high attendance from families seeking autumn entertainment before winter closures, maximizing the number of potential witnesses to the malfunction.
The “power issue” characterization suggests electrical system failure that left the Time Winder unable to complete its cycle and return gondolas to the loading platform, though the vague terminology leaves open questions about whether backup systems failed simultaneously.
The Salem Fire Department rescue “in conjunction with the Park’s Maintenance Team” indicates coordinated operation where park staff with ride-specific knowledge guided firefighters unfamiliar with the Time Winder’s mechanical systems and evacuation protocols.
The “accordance with Park procedures” reference suggests Canobie Lake maintains written emergency plans for ride evacuations that fire departments train on, though the 18-year veteran’s first-ever callout to the park indicates such incidents remain extraordinarily rare.
The zero injuries outcome reflects effective rescue operations where firefighters likely used aerial ladders or bucket trucks to access suspended gondolas and safely lower passengers without falls or panic-induced accidents.
The four rotating arms carrying eight gondolas for 32 total passenger capacity indicates the Time Winder operates at scale where malfunctions affect dozens simultaneously, though only 12 riders occupied the attraction when power failed suggesting off-peak timing or customer reluctance after earlier Untamed Roller Coaster issues.
The “hypnotic movement” and “circular motions around horizontal axes” marketing language describes the disorienting swing motions that would amplify passengers’ fear when the ride stopped unexpectedly, leaving them suspended while experiencing residual momentum swaying.
The 42-inch minimum height and 48-inch supervision requirements indicate the Time Winder targets families with young children, meaning the stranded dozen likely included frightened kids requiring extra reassurance during the extended rescue operation.
The “closed until further notice” status reflects both safety precautions pending investigation and potential legal liability concerns where operating the ride before determining malfunction causes could expose the park to negligence claims if subsequent incidents occur.
The 18-year Salem fire veteran’s first-ever ride rescue call at Canobie Lake demonstrates the park’s historically strong safety record, making the two October malfunctions statistically anomalous events that warrant thorough investigation rather than indicating systemic maintenance failures.
The earlier Untamed Roller Coaster stoppage on a hill requiring rider removal combined with the Time Winder power failure within the same month creates troubling pattern that challenges the park’s claim of “completely separate issues” and suggests possible common factors like aging infrastructure or maintenance lapses.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office involvement elevates the investigation beyond local park inspections to state-level oversight with authority to mandate repairs, order extended closures, or revoke operating permits if safety deficiencies are identified.
The inspectors “working closely with the park’s management team” language indicates collaborative rather than adversarial investigation, though state officials ultimately hold enforcement power if they determine the park’s maintenance practices contributed to both malfunctions.
The “ensure the continued safety of all guests” assurance addresses public relations concerns where two high-profile ride failures within weeks could damage Canobie Lake’s reputation and reduce attendance from families questioning whether the park adequately maintains attractions.
The incidents highlight amusement park industry challenges where aging rides require increasing maintenance investments, replacement parts for discontinued models become scarce, and operators balance safety investments against profit pressures.
The fall timing near Halloween suggests both malfunctions occurred during the park’s busy autumn season when extended operating hours and maximum ride utilization create mechanical stress that may expose latent equipment weaknesses.
The gondola design suspending passengers in individual cabins rather than shoulder restraint seating likely increased passengers’ sense of security during the malfunction, as enclosed spaces prevent the sensation of potentially falling compared to open-air configurations.
The rescue operation’s success without injuries demonstrates fire department training and equipment adequacy for aerial rescues, though the extended duration passengers spent suspended created psychological trauma requiring no physical treatment but potentially causing long-term anxiety about amusement park rides.
