Lost Boy on Hersheypark Monorail Track Safely Rescued

HERSHEY, Pa. - A young boy who wandered onto the elevated monorail track at Hersheypark was rescued unharmed by a visitor late Monday afternoon. The incident unfolded just after 5:00 p.m. on September 1, 2025, when the child became separated from his parents and slipped through a secured gate into the closed monorail station.

While park staff and guests searched for the missing child, he remained in the station for approximately 20 minutes before venturing onto the monorail track nearly 100 feet above the ground. Concerned visitors gathered below, shouting guidance and waving their arms to direct him toward safety. The boy covered his ears amid the commotion and hesitated when attempting to retrace his steps.

At around 5:28 p.m., John Sampson, a bystander from Bucks County, climbed onto the roof of a nearby snack stand and leaped onto the monorail rail. He reached the boy, lifted him into his arms, and safely returned him to ground level to cheers from the crowd.

Park officials confirmed that the monorail was secured and out of service at the time, with a chained gate and barricaded turnstile preventing access. In a statement, Hersheypark expressed gratitude for the “vigilance of our guests and the prompt action of our team,” reaffirming its commitment to guest safety throughout the park.

The child, whose identity has not been released, was reunited with his relieved parents shortly after the rescue. No injuries were reported.