Credit: Cedar Point Cedar Point Guests were stranded in midair when a cable snapped right off from a ride that’s been around since the late 90s.
Cedar Point Attraction Cable Snaps Midair With Guests Onboard
On a summer night at Cedar Point, the sky over the Midway shimmered with lights, music, and the screams of adrenaline junkies plummeting toward the ground. But for one group of riders, the screaming wasn’t for fun—it was because something went terribly wrong.
The heart-pounding moments that followed left dozens of guests stranded high above the park, staring down at a sea of flashing lights and anxious onlookers.
For those familiar with Cedar Point, these moments are rare but unforgettable. It’s the kind of scenario you imagine only in news headlines or viral videos—a mechanical hiccup on a towering ride—but for the guests aboard, it was reality. The good news? Everyone walked away unharmed. The bad news? The ride is now shuttered until further notice.
If you’re planning a trip to Cedar Point this season, you’ll want to know exactly what happened, how it might impact your visit, and the little-known strategies to still maximize your time and thrills in the park.
What Happened on Aug. 10
According to Bryan Levin of the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Division of Amusement Ride Safety & Fairs, a cable on the Power Tower attraction detached at around 8 p.m. Sunday night.
The ride—famous for hoisting guests some 240 feet above the park before a high-speed drop—triggered its safety systems immediately, lowering the vehicle to the loading station where all riders safely exited.
Cedar Point spokesman Tony Clark confirmed the incident, noting that a single cable disconnected from one of the towers.
“Safety is a top priority and the ride will remain closed while we complete a thorough review and inspection,” Clark said.
The Power Tower, which debuted in 1998, features two separate towers: one launches riders skyward, while the other provides a pure freefall experience at speeds approaching 50 mph. The ride will remain closed until it passes a complete reinspection.
How to Navigate Cedar Point Without Power Tower
While thrill-seekers might be disappointed, the park still boasts 70+ rides, including record-breaking coasters like Steel Vengeance and Millennium Force. To make the most of your visit without Power Tower:
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Use the Cedar Point app to monitor real-time wait times and mobile food ordering.
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Arrive at park opening and head to popular rides before lines build.
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Leverage Early Entry if you’re staying at a Cedar Point property—getting in an hour before the public can be game-changing.
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Target midweek visits for lighter crowds and shorter waits.
Insider Hacks and Hidden Gems
Frequent visitors swear by a few tips that first-timers rarely know:
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Beat the crowd to Maverick by cutting through Frontier Trail right at rope drop.
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Catch the best sunset view from the top of the Giant Wheel, not Millennium Force—less wait and a more relaxed ride.
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Refill stations near Frontier Town often have shorter lines than those on the Midway.
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For night rides, Steel Vengeance in complete darkness is unlike anything else at the park.
Why It Matters to Fans
For Cedar Point loyalists, rides like Power Tower aren’t just attractions—they’re pieces of park history. This incident, while minor compared to past mechanical failures in the amusement park industry, triggers a mix of nostalgia, concern, and curiosity.
Longtime fans remember the 2014 Skyhawk cable snap that injured two riders, and incidents like these reignite conversations about ride safety and maintenance schedules.
Social media lit up with eyewitness reports, videos, and speculation, creating a digital buzz that will likely keep Power Tower in the spotlight until it reopens. Park officials are already working closely with the ride’s manufacturer to determine the cause and ensure it’s safe for riders again.