According to Deadline Detroit, a massive slide in Detroit had to be shut down within a few hours due to grave safety concerns.
The slide, Belle Isle, had recently resumed operations on Friday (August 19) following a pause due to the pandemic. But it was soon obvious that the initial riders were traveling too fast when they started to slide down.
The slide had to be closed as a result—and only four hours after it had reopened.
As reported by the Detroit Free Press, riders are shown in videos zooming dangerously fast down the big slide, which is thought to have recently received a fresh coat of wax.
The giant slide at Belle Isle Park in Michigan was open for only 4 hours before workers shut it down to make adjustments.
I wonder why they decided to do such a thing 😳 pic.twitter.com/q7jpFdLdAO
— Art (@artsmithradio) August 19, 2022
On Saturday, August 20, the slide reopened after the Department of Natural Resources tried to make things better by pouring additional wax. Sadly, it didn’t seem to make a difference, as the massive attraction had to be taken down once more when additional riders complained about the fast speeds.
The Department of Natural Resources parks and recreation manager, Todd Schultz, remarked on the closures and said that they had worked to resolve the problem and planned to reopen this week.
“[We have] scrubbed down the surface and started to spray a little water on the slide between rides to help control the speed. It seems to be working well so please come out and give it a try,” the manager told the local news outlet Click On Detroit.
It was made known that the slide would reopen on Friday (August 26) and that visitors would be able to try it out for themselves from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM every day of the weekend.
The gigantic draw, however, attracted a lot of attention online because the internet is the internet.
In fact, the tragic series of events was made into a few humorous TikTok films by riders and bystanders who couldn’t help but find it amusing.
The unlucky slider was captured on camera bouncing twice in the air and not quite landing softly. The TikTok ends with one of the woman’s children posing the following question: “Mom, are you okay?”
A ranger was shown in one helpful TikTok, which over a million fans liked, showing how to glide down without flying off.
In the video, he explains that “leaning forward” and holding that stance the entire time are the keys to having a positive experience on the Belle Isle slide.
Users of TikTok swamped the comments area with funny observations, with one writing: “I’m opening 3 businesses next to this park. A lawyer office, insurance company, and medical supplies shop. Crutches and wheelchair [sic].”
