Haunted Hayride Madness
A True Haunted Hayride Horror Story
Maybe it is the way everything looks in the dark or that you feel completely vulnerable in an open wagon or trailer that makes haunted hayrides so scary. I was ready to be scared when I went on the ride, but I never would have expected what took place that night. For a few moments, I didn't even know what was real that night and I will never forget the madness of that one hayride on Halloween. Take this haunted hayride with me, as I recall what happened that horrible evening. Then, find out how to put together your own haunted hayride; hopefully without the mishap that occurred the night I went on my first, and possibly only, hayride.
It Was A Dark Night
It was pitch black that night, I could barely see my hand in front of my face. The only time you could see was when the moon wasn't hidden behind clouds and just for a few seconds at a time.
The Trees Had Me Spooked
My mind started playing tricks on me as I peered out into the darkness. Before my husband, sister, and I went on the hayride we all knew it would be spooky, but I tried to hide how scared I really was and gulped as I looked up through the trees.
An Eerie Old House
There was an old abandoned house in the middle of the dark nothing on the right of the path we were on. I started to get chills when I saw it because I knew that that is when the real terror would begin. Then, we all heard something that made my hair stand on end!
Something I Did Not Want to Hear!
This sound alone might trigger someone's worst nightmare!
Someone's Out There
No sooner did we hear the chainsaw, we started seeing images flash past us and by the house. There was finally some light, but what you were seeing was not pleasant.
It Was A Hayride Much Like This One - ...Or So We Thought
A Woman in The Dark
There was a particular woman just staring at us out from the dark. She was close enough that the light shined off her clothes and I could somewhat make out what she looked like.
Suddenly the Woman Jumped at The Trailer!
We heard a painful blood curdling scream!!! Everyone else screamed, but my husband suddenly said "Stop the trailer!" He then stood up and jumped off the hayride. My husband is not one to get scared easily, so I was more frightened at that moment than I had been in my entire life! To our horror my husband shocked us with the realization that the woman had been run over by the trailer and the trailer was still on top of her! He proceeded to get everyone off the trailer and I have to admit I was hesitant, I thought this somehow might all be part of the scare. Once we were all off, people started removing the hay from the trailer, the scary images awaiting us in the dark were now aiding in the rescue. I was still so shocked from it all I started to ask people, "Is this real? Please tell me someone is not going to jump out and scare us while we are all off the hayride!" I was assured several times this was not supposed to happen. Someone immediately called 911 and strong men pulled the trailer up and off the woman.
Reality Set in When The Ambulance Came
It was so dark that night someone had to lead the ambulance to where we were. As it turns out, the driver of the hayride was this woman's father and he felt awful for what had happened. The EMT thought she was bleeding, but she had to explain that it was fake blood. They took her on a stretcher and people made their way back in the dark of night to the parking lot where the ride had started. I could not believe the events that took place that night and was a little jumpy after that. I am now a little timid to go on hayrides on Halloween night.
Seems Hard to Believe?
As it turns out, this has happened in other places, as well as other accidents involving hayrides.
News Report: Hayride Role Player Run Over
Still Thinking About a Hayride?
Hayrides are actually a great way to raise money during the fall and can be a lot of fun! The proceeds from the hayride we went on that night went towards helping the community college in our town. Here are some great resources for putting together an awesome haunted hayride...
Safety First!
As you can see, it is important to make sure the ride, role players, and passengers are safe. Use props that are safe to handle and are placed at a good distance from the hayride. There was one child on our haunted hayride and it would be my recommendation to set an age range that is appropriate for the ride. The woman that was ran over on our hayride suffered broken ribs and a hurt leg. If the ride hadn't stopped when it did it could have rolled over her head! Make safety a priority!
Lighting the Path
Fire is probably not a good mix when in the woods or on a farm, but there are some great alternatives! Adding a little light to the path won't take away from spookiness, in fact it can add to it.
Set the Stage
The right props, masks, decorations, etc. can make or break a great scare! If you want an all out scream-tastic experience, the creepier the better.
Fun Items for the Ride
Softly throw some fake creatures and candy, spray a little silly string or water, and it will add to the fun!
What Would a Hayride Be Without Hay?
Your Experience
Have you been on a haunted hayride?
To find a haunted hayride near you visit: hauntedhayrides.com for the US and pumpkinpatchesandmore.org if you are in the UK.
Stay safe this Halloween and may you have many good thrills and chills!