SANDUSKY, Ohio — Since its debut in late June, Cedar Point’s new roller coaster Siren’s Curse has had several stoppages that required evacuations. A video showed an employee working at a height without proper fall protection, raising safety concerns. These are the three key points from Susan Glaser’s recent original article on the subject.
1. Cedar Point employee may have violated safety protocols during coaster evacuation
A video shows an employee working near the edge of the Siren’s Curse track without a safety harness, about 160 feet above ground. Brian D. Avery, a ride safety expert in Florida, called this a clear violation of OSHA standards, which require fall protection when working at heights of 6 feet or higher. A spokesman for the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration confirmed receiving a complaint about the incident on July 23 and stating that Cedar Point provided “proof of corrective action.” The park declined to comment on specific disciplinary measures, saying only that they “completed an internal review and have taken the appropriate action.”
2. Siren’s Curse has experienced multiple evacuations since opening
Since its debut, the new roller coaster has had a number of issues, including at least three unexpected stops that required riders to be evacuated from the top of the 160-foot lift hill. During these evacuations, riders are escorted down a metal staircase adjacent to the track, which some have described as “terrifying” and scarier than the coaster. While ride stoppages are not uncommon, the frequency of Siren’s Curse stoppages in its first few weeks appears high, suggesting Cedar Point should “hit pause for a minute” to investigate the causes.
3. Technical issues stem from the coaster’s innovative tilt track feature
Siren’s Curse has a signature 61-foot-long detachable steel track at the top of its first hill that rotates 90 degrees, pointing riders straight down before reconnecting with the main track. The ride uses “an intricate set of connectors and sensors” to ensure the track is properly attached before releasing the train. When sensors detect an issue, the ride comes to a halt, sometimes requiring evacuation. Cedar Point spokesman Tony Clark described these as “minor technical delays (similar to a check-engine light)” and stated that the “safety system performed as designed.” He stated that the park is collaborating with the manufacturer to “deliver an experience without interruption.”
