On the evening of October 13, a haunted hayride at Silver Lake Park in Athol, Massachusetts experienced a mechanical failure that led to the injury of five participants. As reported by WWLP, the tractor driving the hayride lost control, abruptly halting the event, raising safety concerns, and prompting an immediate investigation.
Following the incident, the Athol Lions Club—the organizers of the haunted hayride—cancelled the next day's activities and offered refunds to ticket holders. With more than 20 years of event history, the club attributes this unfortunate mishap, according to the Recorder, to a "mechanical failure."
The event unravelled when a wagon filled with families was led off course owing to the tractor's malfunction, resulting in minor injuries for five individuals around 7:45 p.m. Emergency services swiftly responded, transporting the injured to Athol Hospital for treatment. None of the injuries reported were severe. CBS News Boston confirms that a police investigation into the event's circumstances is currently underway.
