Carolina Beach amusement ride incident leads to serious violation from N.C. Department of Labor
CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) – State officials have issued a serious violation and $37,500 in penalties following an amusement ride incident at Carolina Beach that left a rider injured earlier this year.
North Carolina Commissioner of Labor Luke Farley announced that the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) cited Harlan Blast/Hildebrand Amusements after an investigation into an incident involving the Kamikaze ride, also known as “Surf’s Up.”
According to investigators, a patron was riding the amusement device when a lap restraint came loose while the ride was in operation. The rider sustained injuries and later sought medical treatment.
The department determined the likely cause of the incident was operator error rather than a mechanical failure. Inspectors reported no defects with the ride itself. A review of video footage taken before and during operation indicated the ride operator did not verify that all safety restraints were properly secured before the ride began.
Officials said the N.C. Department of Labor was first notified of the incident by the Carolina Beach Police Department on June 10, 2026. The amusement company did not report the incident as required by state law.
As a result of the investigation, the department issued two penalties: a $25,000 fine for operation of an unsafe device and a $12,500 fine for operating after an incident without approval from the Commissioner. The total penalty amounts to $37,500.
“North Carolinians should be able to enjoy amusement rides with confidence that operators are following required safety procedures,” Commissioner Luke Farley said in a statement. “When those procedures are not followed, the consequences can be serious. Our department will continue to enforce the law and hold operators accountable for maintaining safe operations.”
The North Carolina Department of Labor said it remains committed to protecting the safety of workers and the public through enforcement, education, and compliance assistance.
