CTTO/Fox News
ARLINGTON, Texas — A recent incident at Six Flags Over Texas has gone viral after theme park guests were filmed jumping into the water following a malfunction on the Roaring Rapids ride. The footage, which was shared on TikTok, captures the dramatic moments and the reactions of onlookers.
The malfunction occurred this week when one of the rafts on the Roaring Rapids ride became stuck. Despite instructions from park staff for guests to remain seated while the ride was restarted, several passengers decided to leap into the water to reach safety. A Six Flags spokesperson confirmed to WFAA that “all guests safely exited the ride and there were no injuries.”
The viral video begins with five rafts clustered together in one section of the water ride. The current appears to reverse, prompting multiple riders to jump into the water. While most quickly made it to solid ground, a young child struggled to swim against the current and was assisted by another rider. “Get the kid!” someone is heard shouting in the video, followed by another person saying, “Alright, this ride is going to be shut down for a while.”
Six Flags’ website describes the Roaring Rapids ride as a thrilling experience where riders can expect to be soaked by “raging waves of water.” Each raft can accommodate up to a dozen people, offering a shared adventure downriver.
“Strap on your vests and step into this wobbly whitewater raft for a (playfully) treacherous passage downriver! Don’t be surprised if your veering vessel is overtaken by raging waves of water. Oops, did we say water? We meant fun!” the ride’s description reads. It also highlights the cooling effect of the ride on hot Texas afternoons, adding, “Nothing cools you down in the middle of a hot Texas afternoon quite like buckets of cold river water roaring down your back! Which one of you will get drenched the most??”
This is not the first incident on the Roaring Rapids ride. In 1999, a tragic accident occurred when a boat overturned, resulting in the drowning of a 28-year-old Arkansas woman and injuries to 10 other passengers in water approximately 2-3 feet deep, as reported by WFAA.
The recent incident underscores the importance of safety protocols and the quick actions of both guests and staff in ensuring a safe resolution.