The ride was closed after a viral video recorded at the amusement park and posted to social media showed a huge crack in one of the coaster's support beams. Workers began the process of removing and replacing the cracked support beam in mid-July.

As of early 2026, the Fury 325 giga-coaster at Carowinds is fully operational and welcoming riders. The confusion regarding its closure stems from a high-profile incident in the summer of 2023 when a support pillar was found to have a significant structural crack. The ride was immediately shut down for several weeks for an extensive repair that involved replacing the entire support column and conducting rigorous "non-destructive testing" on every weld and joint of the 6,602-foot track. Following approval from third-party inspectors and state safety officials, the ride reopened later that season and has since undergone enhanced daily inspections as part of a new "structural integrity" protocol implemented by the park. In 2026, it remains the world's tallest and fastest giga-coaster, often voted the #1 steel coaster in the world, and continues to be the flagship attraction for thrill-seekers visiting the Carolinas.

That’s an excellent question, as Fury 325 at Carowinds is one of the most popular roller coasters in the world. Its closure is a significant event.

The primary and confirmed reason for Fury 325’s current closure is the discovery of a crack in a steel support column.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the situation:

The Timeline and Official Cause

• June 30, 2024: A park guest captured a photo showing a visible crack near the base of one of the ride’s massive, iconic green support columns.
• July 1, 2024: Carowinds announced the immediate and indefinite closure of Fury 325 for “proactive maintenance and inspection.” They stated that during a routine inspection, a “support column weld issue” was identified.
• The Crack: The photo clearly shows a horizontal crack completely separating a steel pipe from a connecting weld collar on a column near the ride’s final brake run. This is a critical structural component.

Why It’s a Major Concern

Fury 325 is a giga coaster, meaning it’s over 300 feet tall (325 ft, to be exact). It reaches speeds of 95 mph and subjects its structure to immense forces. A crack in a primary support column is taken extremely seriously because: 1. Structural Integrity: The columns are responsible for holding up the entire track and managing the dynamic loads of the speeding train. 2. Safety First: Parks and ride manufacturers operate on a “safety-first” principle. Any potential compromise to structure, no matter how small it may appear, warrants an immediate shutdown for thorough investigation.

What Happens Now?

The closure is not just a simple repair. The process involves: 1. Comprehensive Inspection: Every inch of the ride’s structure, especially welds and supports, is being meticulously inspected using advanced techniques. 2. Engineering Analysis: The ride’s manufacturer, Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), is heavily involved. Engineers are analyzing the cause of the crack (e.g., material fatigue, stress, original weld) and designing the repair protocol. 3. Regulatory Oversight: The North Carolina Department of Labor (which oversees ride safety in the state) is aware and will likely require approval before the ride reopens. 4. Repair and Testing: Once a plan is approved, the damaged section will be repaired