On Saturday, August 30, 2025, a young boy was rescued after briefly walking along the elevated monorail track inside Hersheypark, located in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The child had become separated from his parents while visiting the park, prompting concern from nearby guests and staff.
The monorail ride was not in operation at the time of the incident. According to statements from the park and witnesses, the area was secured with chains and barricades. However, the child, whose age has not been officially released, managed to enter the restricted area undetected.
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Once inside the station, the boy remained there for roughly 20 minutes. During that time, his absence had been reported to park security at approximately 5:05 p.m., according to several reports. It remains unclear exactly how the child bypassed the barriers, although Hersheypark has stated it’s reviewing safety procedures.
Eventually, the child began walking along the elevated monorail track, which loops above various parts of the park. Guests spotted him walking near an overhead section and began alerting others. Several people shouted directions to the child, attempting to keep him calm and help him move toward a safer area.
One of the parkgoers, John Sampson, witnessed the situation unfold while visiting the park with his own children. Sampson, a veterinarian and father of three, climbed onto the roof of a nearby concession stand to get closer. From there, he leapt onto the track, reached the boy, and carried him to safety.
In a widely shared video, onlookers can be heard cheering as Sampson safely returned the child to the ground. At approximately 5:28 p.m., less than 25 minutes after the child was reported missing, he was reunited with his family. Park officials confirmed that he was not injured.
Sampson later spoke publicly about the event. “Dad instincts kicked in, and then [I was] just trying to figure things out and how to get up there as fast as possible,” he said.
With the family’s consent, Sampson also revealed that the boy is on the autism spectrum. He urged anyone moved by the situation to consider donating to the Philadelphia Eagles Autism Foundation, the NFL team’s non-profit helping autistic individuals and their families.
“The attention should not be on me, but focused on educating and supporting organizations that research, advocate and impact kids like the boy who thankfully made it home safely with his family,” Sampson went on to say.
The entrance to Hersheypark – YouTube, The Coaster Spot
Hersheypark issued a statement thanking guests and team members for their quick response. The park also confirmed that the incident is under review and that additional safety evaluations would follow.
This event has sparked conversations about safety measures in amusement parks, particularly around ride closures and accessible areas. Park officials have not commented on whether any changes will be made, but emphasized that safety remains a priority. “We are grateful for the vigilance of our guests and the swift response of our team, and we remain committed to maintaining the highest levels of guest safety throughout Hersheypark.”
What do you think about this Hersheypark monorail incident? Let us know in the comments.
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