Rollercoaster

The unnamed man infiltrates the Ocean View Amusement Park and plants a small radio-controlled bomb on The Rocket's tracks. The device detonates, derailing the coaster's train and causing riders to be killed or injured. Investigators scramble to determine how a saboteur could gain access to the restricted area.

Safety inspector Harry Calder, who had initially cleared The Rocket, is summoned to the park to lead the investigation. A park worker recalls seeing what looked like a maintenance man on the tracks earlier, but there is no official record of anyone being assigned there. Calder begins to suspect sabotage rather than a simple accident.

The bomber triggers a fire on a dark ride at another park in Pittsburgh, reinforcing Calder's sense that the incidents are connected. Calder works to link the two events and starts to see a pattern of attacks targeting major amusement parks. His investigation begins to point toward a single mastermind behind the sabotage.

Calder learns that executives running America's largest amusement parks are meeting in Chicago. He flies there to crash the meeting and seek information, hoping to uncover clues about the bomber. During the disruption, the bomber's tape plays, demanding one million dollars to stop his attacks.

Back home, FBI Agent Hoyt informs Calder that the extortion money is to be delivered by Calder at Kings Dominion. Hoyt's briefing places Calder on a dangerous deadline and makes him the courier of the ransom. The arrangement also creates opportunities for the bomber to observe the operation.

At Kings Dominion, Calder is ordered to wait at a public telephone. The bomber calls and warns that a bomb is in the park, then supplies Calder with a two-way radio to stay in contact. He directs Calder to ride multiple attractions, including the Rebel Yell, and even while Calder is on the Skyway, the bomber explains the radio contains the bomb’s coordinates and instructs him to pretend the money has already been delivered to misdirect the FBI.

Hoyt marks the ransom money, violating the bomber's instructions, which triggers a fresh threat. Calder continues to follow the bomber's commands and, at the request of the authorities, leaves the money on a bench before returning the radio to the bomb squad. The sequence is designed to keep the bomber off-balance while the authorities close in.

Receiving another call, the bomber blames Calder for the marked money and predicts that Revolution at Magic Mountain will be the next target. The FBI initially resists Calder's hunch but agrees to investigate because Revolution's July 4 debut will draw a huge crowd. The case race heads toward a high-stakes confrontation.

Before the July 4 opening, agents disguised as park maintenance workers locate and disarm a bomb attached to Revolution's tracks. The thwarted attack confirms the bomber's persistence and prompts heightened security measures around the opening weekend.

The bomber returns to his car and obtains a new bomb just as Revolution is about to open. He pays a park guest for a Gold Ticket to ride first, places the bomb under his seat in the rear of the train, and rides the coaster during its inaugural run. Afterward, Calder recognizes the bomber's voice during the exit interview and prepares to pursue him.

During the second ride through Revolution, the bomber threatens to blow up the ride while the agents attempt to jam the detonator signal. Calder takes a gun from an agent and, in the ensuing confrontation, accidentally shoots the bomber. The bomber flees onto the track, where he is struck and killed by the roller coaster.

With the bomber dead, park security clears the area and Revolution reopens to the public. Calder's pursuit of the attacker successfully ends the threat, and the ride returns to normal operation as the community resumes its routines.