32 Rescued After Terrifying Ride Malfunction at Six Flags

A weekend thrill turned into a nightmare at Six Flags in Maryland when more than 30 passengers were left dangling on a stalled ride for over an hour before emergency crews managed to bring them down safely.

According to Prince George’s County Fire and EMS, technical rescue units rushed to the park just after 3:25 p.m. Saturday when the ride froze mid-cycle, trapping terrified guests high above the ground.

“PGFD Technical Rescue units on scene at Six Flags America working with park staff to evacuate approximately 32 riders stuck on a ride,” the department posted on X. “Patients to be evaluated by EMS.”

Witnesses described the scene as tense but orderly. “You could see people waving, some trying to stay calm, but you know kids were crying up there,” said Marcus Taylor, who was in line for another attraction when the chaos unfolded.

Initial reports from fire officials suggested one passenger had been rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. But within the hour, PGFD clarified that the emergency transport was unrelated to the stalled ride, easing fears of a tragedy.

“All riders were safely removed,” PGFD confirmed later in an update.

A Six Flags spokesperson insisted the situation was under control from the beginning, despite at least one rider calling 911 in panic.

“One of our rides did not complete its typical cycle and paused before returning to the ground,” the spokesperson told reporters. “No guests were injured. Staff are trained to manage these rare events, and the ride will remain closed for a full review.”

The park explained that the shutdown was likely caused by safety sensors, which function like a “check engine” light. Unlike a car, however, the ride will not restart until experts clear the issue.

“Sometimes, the ride requires a more lengthy review,” the spokesperson added. “In those cases, we unload riders — as we did yesterday.”

The scare comes just months before Six Flags America is set to close its gates for good. The company announced earlier this year that the Bowie location — which rebranded under the Six Flags name in 1999 — will permanently shut down on November 2.

“As part of our comprehensive review, we determined Six Flags America is not a strategic fit with our long-term growth plan,” CEO Richard Zimmerman said in April. “We believe redevelopment of the property will generate the highest value.”

For many families, Saturday’s malfunction was a chilling reminder of the risks behind high-speed thrills. “We go to parks like this to escape and have fun,” said Taylor, the witness. “Nobody expects to get stuck in the air for over an hour.”