A terrifying incident unfolded at the North Carolina State Fair on Thursday evening when the popular Vertigo ride abruptly ceased operation, leaving numerous passengers stranded high above the fairgrounds. The ride malfunctioned, suspending dozens of people approximately 100 feet in the air, igniting outrage among attendees and raising serious questions about safety protocols.
According to John Wesley Waugh, Director of Communications for the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL), the Vertigo ride experienced a low-voltage fault. This type of fault is a built-in safety feature designed to halt the machinery and prevent potential mechanical failures. “The ride came to a controlled stop, allowing for the safe and timely manual evacuation of all patrons. At no point was anyone at risk,” Waugh assured.
Fair staff, alongside emergency crews, initiated a manual evacuation process to safely bring down all passengers. Video footage circulating from the scene captured the anxious moments as riders remained suspended while rescue efforts were underway. Hannah Norris, a fairgoer who was on the ride with her young son, recounted the harrowing experience, stating, “All I could think was, ‘We’re going to drop.’”
Adding to the concern, the Vertigo ride had reportedly passed a comprehensive inspection by NCDOL officials earlier on the same day, alongside nearly 100 other attractions at the fair. The exact duration for which the riders were left stranded before the issue was resolved remains unclear.
In response to the incident, the company operating the Vertigo ride has offered complimentary rides to all affected passengers once the attraction is cleared for operation again.