Visitors at Pennsylvania’s  Hersheypark theme park were left in shock after a child was seen walking along the park’s closed monorail track, prompting a frantic rescue effort. The incident unfolded on Saturday (August 30) evening, when the young boy became separated from his family around 5pm. Park security launched an immediate search, but the child had managed to slip into the secured monorail area, which was not operating at the time.

According to a Hersheypark spokesperson, the attraction was properly shut down, with chained gates and a blocked turnstile in place. Despite these safeguards, the child reached the platform and spent nearly 20 minutes there before venturing onto the elevated track, which loops around the entire park. Disturbing footage posted on  social media shows the boy pacing nervously as onlookers below shouted for him to come back. At one point, he covered his ears with his hands, visibly distressed by the noise of the growing crowd. Gasps rippled through the gathering as he edged further along the narrow rail. The standoff ended when a quick-thinking man climbed onto the roof of a nearby food stand, leapt across to the track, and managed to grab the child. Cheers erupted as he carried the boy to safety, moments before security personnel arrived. 

Hersheypark confirmed the child was unharmed and reunited with his family by 5.28pm. “We are grateful for the vigilance of our guests and the swift response of our team,” a spokesperson said. “Safety is and always will be our top priority.”

Many praised the rescuers online, calling them heroes. “Some heroes don’t wear capes,” one commenter wrote. Another added: “I bet that guy’s a dad – he didn’t think twice, he just acted.” Others stressed the importance of keeping close tabs on children in busy amusement parks.

The close call comes just weeks after another tragedy at the same park. In late July, a nine-year-old from Harrisburg drowned in Hersheypark’s popular wave pool.

Despite lifeguards and paramedics rushing to her aid, she could not be revived. Officials later confirmed the death was accidental and not caused by a medical condition.

In the wake of both incidents, Hersheypark has reiterated its commitment to guest safety, stressing that strict protocols remain in place.