A day of high-octane thrills at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee briefly turned into a high-altitude hike on Tuesday, when riders were forced to climb down a stalled roller coaster after it froze near the top of the track.
Videos shared online show guests making their way down a steep section of the park's Wrath of Rakshasa coaster, clipped into safety harnesses as park staff guide them step by step along the track. The train had stopped near the top of the ride's dramatic dive element and could not be restarted, prompting what the park described as a controlled evacuation.
Footage posted to social media captured riders carefully descending the Wrath of Rakshasa's towering 180-foot drop, a scene later detailed by CBS News Chicago. In a statement to the outlet, a Six Flags spokesperson said the coaster "experienced a delay that paused the ride's operation" and "could not be restarted," adding that guests were "safely escorted off the ride."
About the ride
According to Six Flags Great America, Wrath of Rakshasa climbs roughly 180 feet before plunging riders down a beyond-vertical 96-degree drop. The coaster includes five inversions and hits speeds near 67 miles per hour. Since opening in 2025, it has quickly become one of the park's signature thrill rides.
Park response and reopening
Park officials told CBS News Chicago that the ride was cleared to reopen Tuesday night following a systems check. The park did not immediately offer further information on what triggered the stoppage.
What riders experienced
Clips posted by riders show crews fitting guests with harnesses, then escorting them one by one down the inclined track in what appears to be a methodical, safety-focused evacuation. While walk-offs like this are unusual, they are part of established safety protocols. After crews completed their checks and maintenance procedures, Wrath of Rakshasa was returned to operation, according to the park's statement to CBS.
