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  3. Silverwood's New Coaster Gives Passengers Real 'Shock'

Silverwood’s New Coaster Gives Passengers Real ‘Shock’

Passengers aboard Silverwood's newest roller coaster, the Aftershock, were given more than they asked for Wednesday night.

Athol, Idaho, held its breath as the amusement park's newest attraction stopped in midair with an estimated 32 riders. Silverwood's marketing director later explained that a sensor had failed as the ride travelled up to the second tower, activating an "automatic safety fail safe" to stop the ride. Maintenance personnel were able to bring the ride safely back down to the loading dock five to ten minutes later.

The ride was closed and tested. No more problems arose; the ride will be ready for more thrilled visitors Thursday morning. To learn more, click here.

Could this incident possibly be the result of its recent change in location? The 191-foot steel roller coaster was recently bought from Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, and moved to northern Idaho.

Would you ride this roller coaster after its "incident"? What kinds of precautions should be taken? Does its recent move have anything to do with this malfunction? How big of a deal is this issue?

Photo courtesy of silverwoodthemepark.com.

In 2006, then-editor Steve Smith of The Spokesman-Review had the idea of starting a publication for an often forgotten audience: teenagers. The Vox Box was a continuation of the Vox, an all-student staffed newspaper published by The Spokesman-Review. High school student journalists who staffed the Vox made all content decisions as they learn about the trade of journalism. This blog's mission was to give students an opportunity to publish their voices. The Vox Box and the Vox wrapped up in June 2009, but you can follow former staffers' new blog at http://voxxiez.blogspot.com.