A scary roller coaster incident occurred at Universal Studios Hollywood when the new coaster Hollywood Drift did the unthinkable, leaving riders holding on in horror.Credit: UniversalUniversal Studios Hollywood Drift ‘Fast & Furious’ Coaster Rolls Backward With Guests OnboardA technical-rehearsal ride aboard Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift delivered more than its passengers expected Tuesday when a train rolled backward, briefly stopped and then swung back and forth until it gained enough momentum to continue.Video shared July 28 by Theme Park Connect captured the unusual sequence at Universal Studios Hollywood. Although the account described the train as “stuck,” Universal has not identified the event as a malfunction or explained what caused it.That distinction matters. Hollywood Drift may be carrying park guests, but it has not reached regular operation. Technical rehearsals allow Universal to test the attraction under real operating conditions, and availability can change or disappear without notice.Credit: UniversalHollywood Drift Riders Receive an Unplanned EncoreIn the footage, the coaster train fails to clear the track element and rolls backward. It then moves through several forward-and-backward swings before finally continuing along the course.And we’re down! The vehicle has vallied. @UniStudios – @themeparkconnect on XAnd we’re down! The vehicle has vallied. @UniStudios pic.twitter.com/exHODLGaxs— Theme Park Connect (@themeprkconnect) July 28, 2026The sequence appears dramatic from outside the attraction. At least one reported rider considered it a bonus.Instagram user @apex.coasters, who said they occupied the final car, commented: “It was so awesome in the back row, on that third swing launch it gave crazy hangtime on the stall!!!!”Inside the Magic could not independently verify the commenter’s location on the train. Still, the description matches what makes a rollback memorable to coaster enthusiasts: instead of passing through an element once at its intended speed, riders experience unexpected reversals and prolonged weightlessness as the train changes direction.There is no evidence in the available footage that anyone was injured. The train also completed the element without a visible evacuation. However, Universal has not released a statement explaining whether the recovery was initiated automatically, controlled by ride operators or conducted through another procedure.Calling it a confirmed “breakdown” would therefore go beyond the evidence. What the video establishes is narrower: the train lost forward momentum during a technical-rehearsal run and required multiple swings to proceed.Credit: Inside The MagicTechnical Rehearsals Are Not an Opening DayHollywood Drift began welcoming guests for technical rehearsals this week, turning months of empty-train and employee testing into real-world operations. It is the closest the attraction has come to opening—but it is not the same as a grand opening.Universal’s official attraction page still lists the coaster as “Coming Summer 2026.” The company has not posted a dependable daily schedule or a replacement for the June 26 date that briefly appeared online and was subsequently withdrawn.For guests already visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, that makes Hollywood Drift a worthwhile possibility—not something around which to build an entire park day. Technical rehearsals can begin late, end early or remain unavailable altogether. A train completing one run does not guarantee the attraction will continue operating an hour later.The rollback reinforces that uncertainty. Testing with passengers allows operators and engineers to observe how the coaster performs across changing train loads and operating conditions. Stops, delays and adjustments may occur while that work continues.Credit: Inside The MagicUniversal’s Fastest Coaster Is Still Finding Its RhythmOnce regular operation begins, Hollywood Drift will become the fastest roller coaster in Universal’s global theme-park portfolio. Its rotating ride vehicles can reach 72 mph while traversing more than 4,100 feet of track and four inversions, according to previously reported details about the coaster and its new locker procedures.Four vehicle designs draw directly from the films: Dominic Toretto’s Dodge Charger, Han’s Mazda RX-7, Brian O’Conner’s Nissan Skyline GT-R and his orange Toyota Supra. Each vehicle rotates 360 degrees to create the sensation of drifting rather than simply following the direction of the track.The attraction’s ambition has also created challenges beyond the rails. Universal installed sound-shielding panels around portions of the coaster after noise became a concern for neighboring communities. More recent complaints have focused on screams from human test riders, although Universal has disputed claims that noise concerns delayed the attraction’s debut.A separate version is scheduled to open at Universal Studios Florida in 2027. That project will use the same drifting concept but feature a different layout, including a 170-foot vertical spike on the former Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit site.For now, Hollywood has the first working version—and its technical rehearsals are producing moments that a polished opening-day operation may never repeat. Tuesday’s riders did not receive the perfectly controlled run Universal ultimately wants.They may have received the more memorable one.The post Roller Coaster Incident Leaves Guests Holding on in Horror as New Universal Studios Ride Malfunctions appeared first on Inside the Magic.