Playland ride stalls, leaving patrons suspended upside down for minutes

On July 5, the Wipe Out ride at Playland’s Castaway Cove on the Ocean City Boardwalk experienced a technical failure that left riders dangling upside down for roughly five to seven minutes. A video taken by mother Caitlin Gulli showed a frightened rider pleading to be lowered while another person on the ground tried to reassure them. Spectators in line watched the suspended riders, and the clip soon went viral on social media.

Park officials have not released information about what triggered the malfunction. Playland, which bills itself as Ocean City’s oldest amusement park, continues to operate from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. throughout August, offering a mix of family rides and thrill coasters.