The Green Mountain Park Ride Accident: A Shocking Incident in Saudi Arabia
On August 1, 2025, a terrifying accident unfolded at Green Mountain Park in Ta’if, Saudi Arabia, when a 360 Big Pendulum ride catastrophically snapped midair, sending riders tumbling and resulting in injuries to at least 23 people. The horrifying moment was captured on video and has since spread rapidly across social media, eliciting shock and concern worldwide.
What Happened During the Ride Malfunction?
The 360 Big Pendulum ride—characterized by a large circular carousel with seats attached around the edge—was swinging back and forth as usual when disaster struck. As it crested an upward swing and accelerated, a distinct cracking sound pierced the air. The ride’s central pole suddenly fractured, causing the entire structure to recoil violently. The carousel smashed into the other end of the pendulum, striking some riders, though safety harnesses appeared to hold most seat occupants in place.
Despite the chaos, the majority of riders remained secured inside their seats as they crashed to the ground. Still, three individuals were critically injured, while many others sustained various injuries, according to local state media reports.
Immediate Response and Investigation
Authorities moved swiftly after the accident. The governor of the region, Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, ordered the immediate closure of Green Mountain Park to prevent any further risk. Investigations are ongoing in the Al-Hada area of Ta’if, near Jeddah, to determine the technical and operational causes behind the ride’s failure.
Safety Concerns in High-Thrill Amusement Rides
This incident raises serious questions about the rigorousness of safety protocols and maintenance standards applied to amusement park rides, particularly in rapidly expanding leisure markets like Saudi Arabia.
Comparative cases show the global nature of these risks. For example:
- In April 2025, a 13-year-old boy was severely injured on a similar pendulum ride in Batu, Indonesia, after slipping from his seat, highlighting vulnerabilities even when safety harnesses are used.
- The same month, a fatal accident occurred at a fairground in Delhi when a chair swing ride’s central structure broke, causing a woman’s fatal fall.
These tragedies underscore the vital necessity for continuous, expert-led safety inspections and fail-safe engineering in amusement attractions worldwide.
The Psychological and Regulatory Implications
Beyond the physical injuries, such accidents deeply impact public trust and the psychological wellbeing of patrons. Families are left questioning whether rides that promise exhilaration are worth the inherent risks.
For regulators, incidents like this serve as stark reminders to:
- Implement stringent licensing and operational audits.
- Mandate transparent reporting of ride malfunctions and accidents.
- Encourage technological innovation that improves safety and real-time monitoring.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Amusement Ride Safety in Saudi Arabia
As Saudi Arabia pushes forward on social and economic diversification, bolstered by Vision 2030, leisure and entertainment sectors are growing rapidly. This incident at Green Mountain Park is a critical test for local authorities to enhance public safety frameworks that match this growth.
Experts urge that balancing thrilling experiences with uncompromising safety standards will be crucial to the sustainability and global competitiveness of Saudi Arabia’s entertainment offerings.
Editor’s Note
This episode at Green Mountain Park is more than an isolated ride failure—it draws attention to broader themes in amusement park safety worldwide. As complex engineering meets human enjoyment, ongoing vigilance, regulatory rigor, and technological innovation must evolve in step.
For readers and industry stakeholders alike, critical questions remain: How can emerging leisure destinations adopt global best practices rapidly enough to protect their patrons? What new safety standards should be enforced universally? And how do we address the emotional trauma alongside physical injuries in such incidents?
Ensuring these answers will not only protect lives but also preserve the joy and wonder that theme parks strive to deliver.
