A small bracket came loose from a Millennium Force car at Cedar Point on Friday, Oct. 16, and landed where guests walk. No one was hurt, and it reopened Saturday night after safety checks.
One of the most famous roller coasters in the world went quiet this weekend.
Cedar Point shut down Millennium Force on Friday, Oct. 16, after a small bracket came loose from a car and landed in a guest area, Six Flags spokesperson Sara Gordon told Cleveland 19 News.
No guests or employees were hit, and no one was hurt. The ride was shut down right away and would stay closed pending an internal review and an additional state inspection, Cleveland 19 reported.
Here’s the full ride from the front seat, from Cedar Point’s official channel:
Is Millennium Force open again?
Yes. Millennium Force reopened Saturday night, Oct. 17, Attractions Magazine reported. Cleveland.com had reported earlier that evening that it was still closed.
A Six Flags spokesperson told Attractions Magazine that the ride resumed operations after maintenance inspections and all required safety checks were completed. Cedar Point hasn’t publicly shared what caused the bracket to come loose.
If you’re headed to Sandusky soon, check the app before you make the long walk to the back of the park.
Has this happened at Cedar Point before?
Yes, more than once. On June 21, 2026, a metal washer came loose from the lift on Magnum XL-200, Attractions Magazine reported.
A guest said it narrowly missed her head. Cedar Point confirmed it, closed the coaster for an inspection and later reopened it.
The most serious case was in August 2021. A metal bracket came off a Top Thrill Dragster car and struck a woman waiting in line, leaving her with a serious brain injury.
Ohio’s Department of Agriculture later found too little evidence that Cedar Point broke state ride safety laws, Attractions Magazine said. No connection has been made between those cases and Friday’s closure.
Who inspects roller coasters in Ohio?
The Ohio Department of Agriculture. State rules require yearly inspections of amusement rides, and extra inspections in certain cases, according to Attractions Magazine.
Six Flags didn’t say whether state inspectors signed off before the coaster reopened.
Why is Six Flags getting so much attention right now?
Cedar Point is owned by Six Flags Entertainment Corp., formed when Six Flags and Cedar Fair merged in 2024. And Six Flags has had a rough week.
A man fell from the Goliath coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia and died on Monday, Oct. 12. Six Flags then temporarily closed similar coasters at other parks, Cleveland 19 reported.
A CNN review of state records has also raised questions about ride injuries and malfunctions at Six Flags parks, as we reported last week. Six Flags told CNN it’s committed to rigorous inspections and safety procedures.
What is Millennium Force?
A legend among coaster fans. Millennium Force opened at Cedar Point in 2000 as the world’s first giga coaster. Cedar Point and ride maker Intamin coined that term for coasters taller than 300 feet.
It climbs a 310-foot lift hill on a cable and drops 300 feet. It reaches 93 mph on a track that runs 6,595 feet long.
It has been voted the top steel roller coaster in Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards 10 times. For a lot of riders, it’s the reason to drive to Sandusky.
What did Six Flags say about the closure?
The ride was shut down immediately in line with its protocols, a Six Flags spokesperson told Cleveland 19. The company said it would stay closed until its review and the state inspection were done.
Six Flags hasn’t said why the bracket came loose.
Is it safe to ride roller coasters at Cedar Point?
Cedar Point runs more than a dozen roller coasters, and most days go by without a problem. Still, this is at least the third time since 2021 that a part has come loose from a Cedar Point coaster.
For now, riders are back on the big blue track at the back of the park. What made that bracket come loose is still an open question.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
Cleveland 19 News (Oct. 16, 2026), Six Flags’ statement and the closure
Attractions Magazine, Dani Meyering (Oct. 17-18, 2026), the reopening reports, past incidents and Ohio’s inspections
Cleveland.com (Oct. 17, 2026), the ride’s status Saturday night
Cedar Point on YouTube (May 20, 2026), the official POV
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