Cedar Point Reopens Millennium Force After Bracket Falls

A metal bracket that detached from the Millennium Force roller coaster at Cedar Point landed near two visitors in Sandusky, Ohio, on Friday, October 16, 2026, prompting the amusement park to temporarily suspend the attraction. No one was struck or injured, and the ride reopened Saturday evening after maintenance inspections and safety checks.

The incident occurred near a VIP lounge where two Michigan men, Ryan Rowton and Matt Bickley, were spending time when the component fell from a coaster vehicle. According to accounts they provided to local media, the bracket bounced off the ground before landing on a nearby chair.

Cedar Point confirmed that a small bracket had become detached and entered an area accessible to guests. The park temporarily closed Millennium Force while the situation was addressed, then authorized its return to operation after completing the required inspections.

A park spokesperson explained the initial incident in a statement to local media: "A small bracket became dislodged from a ride vehicle on the Millennium Force and landed in a guest area."

Rowton described the sound the object made when it struck the ground, explaining why the men initially struggled to identify it.

"At first we thought it was a phone, but a phone wouldn’t make that sound. Hitting cement. So we sat there for a while trying to figure out what was this," Ryan Rowton said.

The two visitors said they notified park employees, who responded quickly. They also expressed hope that the incident would lead to additional safeguards for people in areas surrounding the attraction.

Bickley questioned whether the area had sufficient protection against falling components.

"The part landed where it’s accessible to people, you know, there’s no catch net there and things of that nature to stop it," Matt Bickley said.

The park confirmed Monday that the coaster had passed its required checks before reopening. A spokesperson addressed the operational status and the park's approach to visitor protection.

"The ride has resumed operations following the successful completion of maintenance inspections and all required safety checks," a Cedar Point spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also emphasized the park's stated commitment to protecting visitors and employees.

"The safety of our guests and team members is our highest priority," the spokesperson said.

Millennium Force opened in 2000 and became the first roller coaster to exceed 300 feet in height, according to Cedar Point. The attraction rises 310 feet and reaches speeds of up to 93 mph, making it one of the park's signature rides.

The incident occurred four days after Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old Atlanta resident, died following an ejection from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on October 12. Authorities were investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. The incident prompted temporary closures of 11 coasters in the United States and Canada that shared the same manufacturer and a similar restraint design, according to The Associated Press.

Six Flags Over Georgia resumed normal operations on Friday, October 16, while the Goliath remained closed at that time. The fatal incident also renewed attention on earlier coaster safety cases, including a 2021 accident at Cedar Point involving Top Thrill Dragster.

In that incident, a metal component fell from Top Thrill Dragster and struck Michigan visitor Rachel Hawes in the head while she waited in line, causing severe injuries, according to reporting on the case. Hawes sued Cedar Point in July 2023, alleging negligence and describing lasting skull and brain injuries. The lawsuit was settled confidentially in April 2024.

Top Thrill Dragster subsequently underwent substantial modifications and returned as Top Thrill 2. After a brief opening in 2024 and further modifications, the redesigned attraction reopened on Cedar Point's opening day in 2025.

Cedar Point President Colleen Brady also addressed the fatal incident in Georgia, expressing sympathy for those affected and outlining the park's safety practices.

"We are deeply saddened by the recent incident at Six Flags Over Georgia. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences remain with the individual involved, their family, friends and loved ones. We also continue to keep the guests and team members affected by this tragic event in our thoughts," Colleen Brady said.

Brady said Cedar Point remained open while the circumstances of the Georgia incident were being examined and that the park continued to focus on supporting those affected and operating its attractions safely.

"Our park is open and welcoming guests as scheduled. As efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident continue, we remain focused on supporting those affected and maintaining the safe operation of our park and attractions," Brady said.

Brady also described the park's inspection schedule and staff preparation, stating that rides undergo daily, weekly, monthly and annual inspections and that employees receive extensive training in attraction operation and maintenance.

"Each year, millions of guests safely enjoy rides and attractions at Six Flags parks. While serious incidents of this nature are exceedingly rare, we never take responsibility to our guests for granted and remain committed to continuously strengthening our operations and safety practices," Brady said.