Coney Island Cyclone needs repairs before it can reopen for rides
CONEY ISLAND, Brooklyn (PIX11) – Luna Park’s Coney Island Cyclone remained out of service Monday and will require repairs before it can reopen for rides, authorities said.
Operators shut down the iconic Brooklyn roller coaster on Thursday due to a crack on the chain sprocket in the ride’s motor room, according to the New York City Department of Buildings.
Several people were escorted off the roller coaster after operators stopped the ride. No injuries were reported.
The Cyclone will remain out of service until park operators make repairs in the ride’s motor room and Department of Buildings inspectors perform another inspection to confirm that the ride is safe to reopen.
The Department of Buildings issued two violations to the owners of Luna Park for failure to maintain the ride due to the crack in the chain sprocket, and failure to immediately notify buildings officials about the incident.
“At Luna Park in Coney Island, safety is our number one priority and ride maintenance, and thorough testing happens daily before Luna Park opens and throughout the day as necessary. The Coney Island Cyclone is a 97-year-old roller coaster that is meticulously maintained and tested daily,” a statement from Luna Park said.
The Cyclone first opened to the public in 1927. It is the second-steepest wooden roller coaster in the world, according to Luna Park.
Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than five years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here.