HersheyPark Update: How Did a Child Get Up on the Monorail and Where Were His Parents?

It was a regular day at HersheyPark in Pennsylvania when things were not quite right when a young boy was spotted walking by himself on the park's 100-foot-plus-high elevated monorail track on 30 August 2025.

It was videoed on social media and quickly gained widespread public interest, sparking debate about the level of protection and alertness parents provide at fun parks.

Boy Reported Missing Before Risky Walk

It was after being made public by an official announcement of HersheyPark that the family of the child reported it missing at about 5:05 pm. When the staff started searching, the boy was still able to access the monorail station, which was closed at the end of the day.

It was claimed that the entry was locked using a chain and turnstile system; yet, the child passed through the barricades and went unnoticed on the platform for about 20 minutes.

No parade or ride events were occurring at the moment, and the monorail was closed due to the park's maintenance schedule.

Heroic Rescue by Park Guest

As the crowd watched in horror, one park guest took matters into his own hands. Climbing onto the roof of a nearby food stall, the man reached the monorail track and lifted the boy to safety. The child was then passed down to another bystander before being reunited with his family at approximately 5:28 pm.

The rescuer has since been hailed as a hero online, with one social media user declaring, 'Give this man free tickets for life. That's the kind of guest every park dreams of having.'

In a statement, HersheyPark said: '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.'

How Did the Child Gain Access?

The incident has raised concerns about how a child could bypass safety barriers and enter a restricted area. HersheyPark confirmed that the monorail was closed at the time, and the station was secured with physical barriers. However, the child was still able to slip past these measures, a troubling lapse in what should have been a secure zone.

While the park has not released details about the child's age or how he became separated from his parents, the situation has reignited debate over parental responsibility in crowded public spaces.

Some online commentators questioned how long the child had been unsupervised and whether more stringent entry protocols should be in place for restricted areas.

A Pattern of Safety Concerns?

The monorail incident comes just weeks after a tragic accident at HersheyPark, where a nine-year-old girl drowned in the wave pool. That death was later ruled accidental, with police confirming the park had followed safety standards and that the pool was operating below its maximum capacity.

Public Reaction and Next Steps

The viral nature of the monorail footage has prompted widespread public reaction, with many praising the quick-thinking guests who intervened. Others have called for a review of HersheyPark's security infrastructure and questioned whether staff were adequately trained to prevent such incidents.

As of now, the child involved is unharmed and has been safely reunited with their family. HersheyPark has not indicated whether it will make changes to its safety procedures, but the incident has undoubtedly served as a wake-up call.

For families planning visits to amusement parks, the message is clear: vigilance, supervision, and awareness of surroundings are essential, even in places designed for fun.

A Wake-Up Call for Amusement Parks and Parents

HersheyPark originally opened in 1906 when chocolate tycoon Milton S Hershey founded it, and it was known as a premier family destination. It now occupies a small 120 acres or so and features over 70 attractions and rides, as well as the legendary Chocolate World.

However, these examples demonstrate that even venerable parks must regularly review their protocols. Both of the youth involved in the monorail mishap escaped harm, although the potential consequences might have been catastrophic.

Even though Hersheypark has not made any public announcements about procedure changes being underway, the accident highlights the necessity of constant vigilance, staff training, and parental supervision, even in situations of leisure and enjoyment.