Thirteen theme park guests spent nearly two hours stuck high in the air after the power suddenly cut out

A sudden power outage at the Great Escape theme park left riders stranded on the Adirondack Outlaw for nearly two hours on Friday.

Imagine hanging high above the ground on a hot summer afternoon, waiting for help while your ride stands completely still.

That was the reality for over a dozen people at a popular local theme park.

WHAT HAPPENED

On Friday afternoon at about 3:50 p.m., a partial power loss hit the Great Escape theme park in Queensbury, New York.

Several rides stopped right away with guests still on board.

One major ride, the Adirondack Outlaw, stopped in an upright position.

Thirteen guests were trapped high in the air.

Local fire crews rushed to the park to help.

Workers safely got the last trapped rider down at about 5:35 p.m.

What the evidence shows

• 3:50 p.m.: The time the power went out.
• 13: The number of guests stuck on the Adirondack Outlaw ride.
• 1 hour and 45 minutes: The total time riders spent waiting in the air.
• 5:35 p.m.: The time the ride was fully cleared.
• 1: The number of local fire crews onsite to help.

THE BIGGER QUESTION

Amusement parks are built on a promise of controlled fear.

We pay to feel like we are in danger, while trusting that we are actually safe.

But when the power fails, that trust is tested.

How often do these local power grids get checked?

As summer heat puts more strain on our power lines, we must ask if local parks are truly ready for sudden blackouts.

THE OTHER SIDE

Park bosses say their safety systems worked exactly as planned.

The rides did not crash; they simply locked into a safe stop when the power cut out.

Based on the safe rescue and lack of injuries, this argument seems to hold up.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW

The park is working with its energy partner, RES, to find out what caused the power loss.

For now, visitors may feel a bit nervous before strapping into these high rides.

Local teams will likely review park backup systems before the next big weekend crowd arrives.

WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW

What exactly caused the power to go out at the park?

• Did the summer heat play a role in the power failure?
• Will the park offer refunds or apologies to the guests who were trapped?

SOURCE NOTE

This story came from park posts and local news. All charges are allegations - Great Escape is presumed innocent until proven guilty.