Emergency Rescue at Six Flags America

A rescue operation took place on Saturday at Six Flags America in Bowie, Maryland, after a ride malfunction left about 32 people stranded for more than an hour.

Emergency personnel from the Prince George’s County Fire Department arrived at the amusement park around 3:25 PM to help staff evacuate the riders.

According to local reports, the park’s safety teams worked alongside the fire department to manage the situation, evaluating those who were stuck. An update indicated that one passenger was initially transported to the hospital due to a serious yet non-life-threatening injury. However, it turned out that this matter was unrelated to the evacuation.

The PGFD later confirmed that all riders were safely removed, clarifying on social media that the hospitalization was for a separate medical issue where assistance was needed.

A spokesperson for Six Flags mentioned that a guest had called 911 but that the staff, trained for emergencies, handled the evacuation. They emphasized that no external help was necessary this time.

“One of our rides didn’t complete its usual cycle and paused before safely returning to the platform,” the representative stated. They assured that no injuries were reported and that the ride is temporarily closed for a thorough examination of the issue.

The spokesperson also mentioned that the ride’s safety sensors occasionally trigger alerts, halting operations until resolved—a system similar to a car’s check engine light. Sometimes, this requires extended reviews by trained experts, prompting the safe drop of guests from the ride, as occurred during this event.

This incident at Six Flags America has drawn attention, although the park has been operating since its rebranding in 1999 and has plans to close after the current season.

The Prince George’s County Fire Department did not immediately provide additional comments following the incident.