How Did the Boy Get on the Hersheypark Monorail Track?

On August 30, 2025, a shocking video out of Hersheypark in Pennsylvania stunned everyone. This video in question showed a young boy walking dangerously along the park’s monorail track high above the ground. The clip, which spread across social media platforms and news sites, left millions of viewers with the same burning question: “How did the boy even get up there?”

What Happened in the Hersheypark Monorail Video?

The video shows a boy casually walking along the narrow monorail beam while a crowd below looks on in shock. According to witnesses, a bystander eventually climbed up and safely retrieved the boy, bringing huge relief to the screaming onlookers.

Hersheypark themselves later confirmed that the boy was unharmed and reunited with his family.

How Could the Boy Access the Track?

This is where things get interesting. The monorail ride was closed at the time, according to park officials. That means no staff were actively manning the loading area.

From what can be pieced together, the boy most likely:

• Slipped through the ride gates in the empty station.
• Climbed onto the monorail platform.
• From there, stepped directly onto the exposed track.

I have been to many theme parks around the world and one thing I have noticed is that when a ride is shut down, staff do not always guard the entrances. Sometimes the gates are left unattended or the barriers are not as secure as they should be. For adults this might not seem like an issue, but for kids who are naturally curious and adventurous, it can be an open invitation to wander. That is likely how this boy managed to step onto the Hersheypark monorail track. It is a reminder that even in well-run parks, small lapses like this can create big risks.

@abcnews

Frightening video captured a young boy who found himself walking along a monorail track in Pennsylvania’s Hersheypark. A bystander climbed up to the rail to retrieve the boy, to the relief of the surrounding crowd. The ride was closed at the time, the park said, adding that the boy was reunited with his family unharmed.

♬ original sound – ABC News – ABC News

Why Autism Might Explain What Happened

To make things worse, the child might have been autistic, which would add another layer of complexity to the situation. Parents of children on the spectrum often talk about how quickly things can change in a busy, loud environment. A moment of distraction is all it takes for a child to slip away. And the worst part is that theme parks are full of triggers that can cause kids to bolt or try to find a quiet space.

In the video, he appears to cover his ears at times, which is something many parents of autistic children recognize as a common response to loud or overwhelming environments. Parents who commented on the viral clip pointed out that some autistic children are prone to “eloping”, which means quickly running or wandering away in unexpected directions. They can also move very fast, making it difficult for caregivers to react in time. Of course, we don’t know the full story about this child, and Hersheypark has not released details.

This is why I think judgment should be handled carefully. What looks like negligence to outsiders may in reality be a family doing their best under very challenging circumstances.

As can be seen from this picture, the boy is covering his ears while standing on the track. Parents who have children on the autism spectrum suggested he might be autistic since many kids react this way in loud or overwhelming situations.

What Actually Happened, According to Hersheypark

Hersheypark later explained that the boy had first been reported missing after getting separated from his parents. While park staff were actively searching for him, he somehow managed to slip into a secured area for the Monorail, which was not in operation at the time. That is when he was spotted walking along the track, high above the crowd below.

This honestly clears up a lot of the speculation that spread online. The child wasn’t just wandering freely into a dangerous area by chance. The truth is that he had been reported missing, and in the chaos of the search, he found his way into the Monorail section.

Safety Concerns After the Incident

A lot of people (especially parents) have expressed genuine fears about theme park safety after watching the video. Many were shocked at how easily a child could end up in such a dangerous situation and began asking important questions. How could a child access the ride so easily? Why wasn’t the area secured if the monorail was closed? Could something similar happen on other rides?

These are the kinds of questions that matter to families who visit parks every year. Parents want the reassurance that when they step into a theme park, every gate, platform, and restricted zone is being watched closely. Even though this incident ended safely, it has made many people realize just how quickly things can go wrong when even one safety measure is overlooked.

Can the Family Sue Hersheypark?

In theory, yes, the family could sue Hersheypark if they believe negligence played a role. Theme parks have a legal duty of care to keep guests safe, and that includes making sure restricted areas and closed rides are properly secured. If it turns out the boy was able to step onto the monorail track because gates or barriers weren’t locked or guarded, the park could be held partly responsible.

That said, lawsuits like this aren’t always straightforward. Hersheypark might argue that the parents were responsible for supervising their child and that the park took reasonable steps to secure the ride while it was closed. In the end, I think much would depend on witness statements, video evidence, and whether safety protocols were followed that day.

Often in cases like this, families and theme parks settle quietly out of court to avoid bad publicity. But even if no lawsuit is filed, the incident is likely to push Hersheypark to review its safety procedures and tighten up how closed rides are monitored.

Visiting Hersheypark in 2025: What Families Should Know

Hersheypark is still one of the most popular family spots in America, and millions of people go there every year to have a good time. From what I’ve seen in my travels, accidents like this are very rare, but when they do happen, they remind every parent out there to be extra alert.

These are some of the key pieces of advice I can give parents:

• Keep your eyes on your kids whenever you are near rides, platforms, or loading areas.

• Respect the “ride closed” signs because they are there for safety, not just for show.

• Teach your little ones early that fences, gates, and restricted areas are never for climbing or exploring.

If you’re planning a trip, don’t let this scare you away. Hersheypark is full of rides, shows, and fun family experiences. The monorail especially has been around for decades and is still one of the safest and most scenic rides in the park. This one incident doesn’t change the fact that Hersheypark is a place families continue to trust and enjoy year after year.