Three riders had to be carefully evacuated Monday after the Wild Mouse roller coaster at Idlewild & SoakZone in Ligonier Township stalled, leaving a single car stranded on the track. Crews from the Darlington Volunteer Fire Company used high-angle rope-rescue techniques to lower the guests to safety, and park officials said no one was injured. Herschend Family Entertainment, which operates Idlewild, has taken the ride out of service while it reviews what caused the stoppage.
Park Response And Initial Rescue
According to WTAE, park attendants hit the stop controls on the Wild Mouse after a car came to rest on a flat section of track on a bend, then called for emergency assistance. The Darlington Volunteer Fire Company carried out a high-angle rope rescue to evacuate three guests from the car, lowering them one by one. No injuries were reported. Herschend described the incident as an "unexpected stoppage" and said the Wild Mouse will remain temporarily closed while the company conducts an internal review.
Rescue And Eyewitness Accounts
Darlington Volunteer Fire Chief Kurt Rose told WTAE the situation "matched training," explaining that crews first secured the car, then lowered each rider individually to the ground. A rider identified as Monica Johnson said she was on the coaster when it stopped and described the wait as tense but orderly. Once all three guests were safely on the ground, responders cleared the scene after park staff checked on the riders.
How The Rescue Played Out
The Darlington Volunteer Fire Company, one of Ligonier Township's all-volunteer units, led the operation, according to county listings. Westmoreland County lists Darlington among the township's volunteer fire departments. The Wild Mouse is a compact steel "wild-mouse" coaster, and its layout can leave stopped cars on elevated sections of track where rope-rescue techniques come into play, as described in the ride overview on Wikipedia.
Park Status And What Riders Can Expect
Idlewild has not given a timeline for bringing the Wild Mouse back into service and is asking guests to monitor its official channels for updates. Idlewild lists media contacts and ticketing information in its online media center. Park officials said the coaster will only reopen after a full review of the incident and any needed maintenance checks are completed.
