Cedar Point reopened its Millennium Force roller coaster in Sandusky, Ohio, on Saturday, Oct. 17, after a metal bracket detached from a ride vehicle and landed in an area accessible to guests. The park closed the attraction on Friday, Oct. 16, for inspections following the incident, which occurred during its HalloWeekends event. No injuries were reported.
A Cedar Point spokesperson confirmed the reopening on Monday, Oct. 19, after maintenance inspections and safety checks were completed. The incident received added attention because it happened four days after a fatal roller coaster accident at Six Flags Over Georgia, another park operated by Six Flags Entertainment Corp., where a 42-year-old man died after becoming dislodged from the safety restraints on the Goliath roller coaster.
What Happened at Millennium Force
According to the park, a small bracket became dislodged from a Millennium Force ride vehicle on Friday and landed in a guest area. No guests or employees were struck. Cedar Point immediately shut down the roller coaster and kept it closed pending an internal review and additional state inspection.
Two Michigan men who were in a VIP lounge near Millennium Force told Cleveland television station FOX 8 that the fallen bracket bounced off the ground before landing in a chair beside them. They said they alerted park employees, who responded quickly.
Previous Falling-Part Incidents at Cedar Point
Friday’s closure follows other incidents involving loose components at the Sandusky park. On June 21, a metal washer detached from the lift mechanism of Magnum XL-200 and narrowly missed a guest. That roller coaster was temporarily closed for inspection before reopening.
A more serious incident occurred on Aug. 15, 2021, when a metal bracket detached from a Top Thrill Dragster ride vehicle and struck Rachel Hawes, who was waiting in line, causing a serious brain injury. The Ohio Department of Agriculture completed its investigation in February 2022 and found insufficient evidence that Cedar Point had violated state amusement ride safety laws. Top Thrill Dragster was later reimagined as Top Thrill 2, which debuted in 2024, closed after eight days for mechanical modifications, and reopened on May 3, 2025.
No connection has been established between these previous incidents and the Millennium Force bracket detachment.
Ohio Ride Safety Oversight
The Ohio Department of Agriculture oversees amusement ride inspections in the state. Ohio regulations require annual inspections, and additional inspections can be ordered under certain circumstances. Cedar Point President Colleen Brady said the park’s attractions undergo daily, weekly, monthly, and annual inspections.
Officials have not publicly disclosed the inspection findings or identified the cause of the detached bracket from Millennium Force.
About Millennium Force
Millennium Force opened in 2000 as the world’s first giga coaster. It features a 310-foot-high first hill and a top speed of 93 mph.
- Park: Cedar Point
- Location: Sandusky, Ohio
- Attraction: Millennium Force roller coaster
- Closed: Friday, Oct. 16
- Reopened: Saturday, Oct. 17
- Spokesperson confirmation: Monday, Oct. 19
- Injuries: None reported
