Just as amusement parks, local carnivals and county fairs kick into high gear for the summer, welcoming tens of millions of enthusiastic people — many in search of taller, faster and more twisty roller coasters — some sobering reports may dampen the enthusiasm.
Last week in Charlotte, N.C., Carowinds Amusement Park shut down its marquee roller coaster after a patron took video of an alarming crack in one of the ride's supports. Then on Sunday, eight passengers were stuck upside down for hours on a coaster at the Forest County Festival in Crandon, Wis., due to a mechanical problem.
