Several Injured At Mountain Creek Water Park

A malfunctioning ride at the Mountain Creek Water Park in Vernon injured several people on Wednesday afternoon.

Park spokesman Bill Benneyan tells WNBC TV that several circular tubes backed up and collided  in the middle of a ride called the Gauley, injuring six people.  Park staffers got the five riders -- identified
only as four adults and a female teenager -- off the ride in about 20 minutes. He said they suffered bumps, bruises and abrasions.

The ride is closed while park officials conduct an investigation.

The Gauley is described on the Mountain Creek website as a "single-tube ride twists and turns down the mountain before you enter the toilet bowl that spins you 360° into the darkness before flushing you out into the springs below. For guest 48" & Over."

STATEMENT FROM MOUNTAIN CREEK

Today approximately half a dozen riders on water tubes backed up at the same place in a ride called ‘the Gauley’ at Mountain Creek Waterpark.

This was frightening for the guests involved, and we take this very seriously.  We are thankful that there were no serious injuries.  Mountain Creek Waterpark is focused on providing a consistently safe, fun and unique experience to all of its guests, and we regret that this incident occurred.

We extricated the guests in the ride, and transported them as a precaution for evaluation and follow-up.  We have a large and professional EMS and response team made up of professionals from many of our New Jersey communities who did an excellent job responding in force and taking care of the guests.

We’ve closed the ride for evaluation together with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs before it is re-opened for operation.

The rest of the Waterpark remains open for operation, including both the water rides and the action rides such as the Mountain Coaster, Soaring Eagle and Drop Zone Tubing Park.

Mountain Creek Waterpark consistently receives top evaluations for water safety, and we commend our staff for their response.