DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. — A young boy was rescued at Hersheypark on Saturday, August 30, after he was spotted walking along the closed monorail tracks. The incident occurred around 5:05 p.m., shortly after the boy was reported missing. At the time, the monorail ride was closed, with a chain blocking the entrance and barricades at the turnstile.
Witnesses captured the scene on video, showing a crowd gathered around the ride as the boy walked along the tracks. A guest noticed the child and helped guide him to safety. Hersheypark officials confirmed that the boy had entered a secured area of the monorail while park employees were searching for him. He remained in the closed station for about 20 minutes before walking along the track.
In a statement, Hersheypark said, "A guest quickly noticed and helped guide the child to safety. Our team members immediately responded after he was spotted on the tracks, and at approximately 5:28 p.m., the child was safely reunited with his family." The park expressed gratitude for the vigilance of its guests and the swift response of its team, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining high safety standards.
Local law enforcement was not called to the scene, as park security typically handles missing children. The Derry Township Police Department only intervenes if a child cannot be located for an extended period.
This incident occurred just over a month after a tragic event at Hersheypark's waterpark, where another child died. The CEO of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts stated that the child was in distress at the time of the incident and that immediate rescue efforts were made by lifeguards and medical personnel. Despite these efforts, the child could not be revived, prompting the CEO to extend condolences to the family and request privacy during their time of grief.