On June 28, the “LEGO Big Roller Coaster” in the Shanghai LEGO Park, which is currently in trial operation, suddenly got stuck in mid-air, leaving more than a dozen visitors hanging on the track for over 40 minutes in the high temperature. The park responded by claiming that the “facilities meet safety standards,” sparking dissatisfaction among netizens.
Videos shared by netizens show the “LEGO Big Roller Coaster” suspended in mid-air with over ten visitors inside. In the video, a woman can be heard saying, “Why is it stopped there? Is it malfunctioning? There are staff there.”
According to the “Shanghai Weather Update,” the Shanghai Central Meteorological Observatory issued a yellow high-temperature warning signal at 8:55 on that day, and upgraded it to an orange high-temperature warning at 14:20, with the highest temperature at Xujiahui Station reaching 36.5℃, marking the 7th high-temperature day of the year.
Shanghai LEGO Park began public trial operation on June 20. Netizens couldn’t help but question, “Just a few days after opening and already an incident, passed safety inspection?” “Daring to let visitors on during the testing phase?” “Even during the testing phase, visitors should not be used as testers.”
The Shanghai LEGO Park app displayed that on that day, the “LEGO Big Roller Coaster” had resumed operation.
Witness Mr. Wang told Finance and Economics that during the incident, the “LEGO Big Roller Coaster” was climbing the track when the equipment suddenly stopped running, leaving the roller coaster car hanging on a sloped track. Some visitors were frightened to tears. About 40 minutes later, the stranded visitors were guided by LEGO Park staff to safety.
Mr. Li, a stranded citizen, told The Cover News that around 12:05 noon, shortly after the equipment started, the entire roller coaster stopped in mid-air due to a malfunction.
“My partner and child were sitting in the back, while I was alone in the front. At that time, I was stuck at the ‘highest point,'” said Mr. Li. “I was among the last group to come down, about 40 meters off the ground. I reached the ground around 12:40 noon.”
Afterwards, Shanghai LEGO Park responded that the incident occurred around noon on June 28, the malfunction lasted less than an hour, and no one was injured.
The park further stated that after a comprehensive investigation, it was confirmed that the facilities met safety standards, and the LEGO Big Roller Coaster project resumed operation at 1 pm that afternoon.
The park’s response sparked dissatisfaction among netizens, with comments like: “They were hanging in the air for 40 minutes, and they’re playing down the severity of the incident, twisting the truth without any remorse. Everyone should boycott!” “Didn’t they boast on TV before the opening about the safety guarantees of the equipment and facilities?” “The outdoor temperature was already 38 degrees at noon on the 28th. Hanging for 40 minutes?” “Roasted alive.” “Every single second was torture.”