Guests riding the Steel Curtain roller coaster at Kennywood amusement park in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, experienced an unexpected delay on Saturday when the ride came to a complete stop due to a safety system activation.
Approximately 24 passengers were halted on the coaster’s lift hill after onboard safety sensors triggered an automatic shutdown, according to a video shared on Facebook. Park officials confirmed the stoppage lasted about 20 minutes while safety checks were conducted.
Kennywood spokesperson Lynsey Winters told TribLive that the ride was thoroughly inspected before resuming normal operations. No safety hazards were found.
“Rides, including the Steel Curtain, are designed with highly sophisticated control systems and safety features that allow these attractions to operate in a safe and efficient manner,” said Kennywood General Manager Ricky Spicuzza in a statement. “If these control systems sense something out of the ordinary, even if it is minor, they are designed to automatically stop the train in a safe location, if necessary.”
The Steel Curtain, which reopened last month after being closed in 2024 for structural repairs, is Pennsylvania’s tallest roller coaster at 220 feet—surpassing Hersheypark’s Candymonium by roughly ten feet. It also features the world’s tallest inversion at 197 feet and holds the record for the most inversions on any North American coaster, with a total of nine.
No injuries were reported during the incident. The roller coaster has since returned to regular operation.
