What started as a regular family outing at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania quickly turned into a heart-stopping scene when a young boy was spotted wandering along the monorail track, nearly 20 feet above the ground.
Amid the panic, one man’s quick thinking and instinctive bravery prevented what could have been a devastating accident.
The Boy on the Tracks
The child, who had become separated from his parents on Saturday, somehow made his way into a secured area and ended up on the elevated track of the monorail ride.
Visitors watched in shock as the boy teetered dangerously close to the edge.
Shouts filled the air as adults desperately tried to guide him to safety, but the little boy, overwhelmed by the noise, covered his ears and paced back and forth.
A Father’s Instinct Kicks In
That’s when John Sampson, a veterinarian and father from rural Pennsylvania, sprang into action.
Trusting his instincts, he climbed onto the roof of a food stand, jumped onto the tracks, and scooped the boy into his arms.
“I was just trying to figure out how to get up there as fast as possible,” Sampson told local reporters.
He described the wave of relief he felt the moment he held the child, adding that he could sense the boy felt safe immediately too.
Gratitude from the Family
Thankfully, the child was unharmed. The following day, his parents reached out to Sampson to personally thank him for saving their son.
For Sampson, the biggest relief was simple: “I’m just so happy he’s safe and back with his family. That’s the most important thing out of all this.”
Hersheypark Responds
According to Hersheypark officials, the child had been reported missing around 5 p.m. and was reunited with his parents about 20 minutes later.
A spokesperson emphasized that the monorail was closed at the time, with chained barriers and turnstiles in place.
They credited both alert guests and quick staff response for ensuring the child’s safety and added that the park remains committed to strict safety measures.
Officials are still investigating how the child managed to get onto the track in the first place.
Social Media Applauds the Rescue
Online, many people hailed Sampson as a hero. “Some heroes don’t wear capes,” one commenter wrote, while another said, “I bet that guy is a dad, because he didn’t think twice—he just acted.”
Others pointed out how important it is to take precautions with young kids in crowded public places, even if it means using “roped backpacks” some parents get criticized for.
A Park with Recent Tragedy
This close call comes just weeks after another heartbreaking incident at Hersheypark.
On July 24, nine-year-old Sophia Subedi from Harrisburg drowned in the park’s wave pool despite the presence of more than 100 lifeguards on duty.
Officials later confirmed she did not suffer a medical emergency—the death was ruled accidental.
Witnesses recalled the packed pool area and the frantic rescue attempts as Sophia was pulled from the water and rushed to Milton S.
Hershey Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
Ongoing Safety Concerns
The wave pool, known as The Shore, holds 378,000 gallons of water and reaches depths of six feet.
Sophia’s death, along with this recent monorail scare, has raised questions about park safety and how incidents can unfold even with safeguards in place.
Investigations by Hersheypark, local police, and the Dauphin County Coroner’s Office continue as families and officials seek answers.
A Reminder of Vigilance
For many, these back-to-back incidents are a sobering reminder: family trips to amusement parks can be filled with joy, but safety remains fragile.
Heroes like John Sampson show the difference one person’s courage can make, but the larger conversation about protecting children in busy, unpredictable environments is far from over.
