THE UK’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster has been forced to close again just days after reopening.
Hyperia at Thorpe Park opened on May 24 after much fanfare about its record-breaking potential.
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The new ride closed after just a day in service and only reopened to the public last week.
However, the huge new ride has been forced to close yet again, just one week after it reopened to the public.
Earlier today, Thorpe Park posted a statement regarding the unexpected closure on X (formerly Twitter).
The statement reads: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are unable to open Hyperia today, Wednesday 19th June.
“We will update our ride availability page with the latest information regarding the opening of Hyperia beyond today.
“We apologise for the disappointment this will cause and we are working hard to reopen Hyperia as soon as possible and will keep people updated via our website and social media.”
Within minutes of the announcement, theme park fans took to X to express their frustration over the news.
One person wrote: “We have drove five hours to come here today and this is announced at park opening!
“We postponed from the last time it was closed. Seriously? We just arrived for a two-day stay for this!
“This is just ridiculous, your flagship ride and you have so many issues with it.”
A short history of Hyperia
- Hypeia was first announced back in October, 2023.
- The ride officially launched several months later, on May 24 – to much fan excitement.
- Just one day later, on May 25, 2024, the ride was forced to close indefinitely due to unforeseen circumstances.
- It was then slated to reopen on June 8, but the relaunch was pushed back by several days by the theme park giant.
- Hyperia then reopened to the public on June 12 following an 18-day closure.
- Four days after it reopened, thrill-seekers were left stranded on the ride for one hour when it broke down.
- Today (Wednesday, June 19), Hyperia was forced to close again – just one-week after it reopened.
A second person added: “Sure it’s disappointing but it’s a new ride, it’s bound to have issues.
“I would much rather they close the ride to make sure we will all be safe for when it reopen.”
The news comes after the ride broke down at the weekend, leaving park-goers stranded 236ft up in the air as they waited for the ride to be repaired.
At the time, the theme Park giant said riders were “communicated to throughout” the shutdown and these types of “stoppages are perfectly normal”.
A spokesperson added: “Hyperia experienced a short delay in operation today.
“Guests were held on the lift hill for approximately one hour before the ride was restarted and the train was brought back into the ride station.”
This isn’t the first time Thorpe Park has been forced to close Hyperia unexpectedly.
Earlier this year, the ride closed just the day after its initial launch due to “unforeseen circumstances” and has since been unable to relaunch.
Initially, the park said it would be back up and running after just five days, before it extended its expected opening date to June 8, at the latest.
Meanwhile, this theme park has revealed that four of its top rides are closing this summer.
And this affordable attraction is launching a new ride for 2024.
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