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Drayton Manor Park - Splash Canyon Incident

It's easy to blame the kid for their own naivety or lack of common sense whilst forgetting their age, she was 11 and by all accounts had never been to a theme park before (turned up to school that morning in wrong clothes and had to borrow some before going on the trip), if you really must play the blame game then the majority of the blame lies with whoever was supposed to be supervising her.

My son is 13 and has been flying drones and planes for nearly two years, even after all this time he is still never left unsupervised with the equipment because it will literally kill you in the right circumstances, my point being that regardless of how mature an 11 year old looks or acts, they are still just 11, they need supervising.
 
I've removed a number of posts in this topic relating to someone's insensitive comments on the subject.

Whilst I don't wish to censor people on the forum, I won't allow TowersStreet to be used for such posts, particularly when someone so young has sadly died. Use your own personal social feeds etc for posting such opinions if you wish, but comments like that are not welcome here. Particularly when they serve only to derail what has otherwise been sensible discussion.

Thanks.
 
Of course we can all make judgement along the lines of people standing up, swapping seats, not listening to safety instructions, and even that fault lies with the individual or those looking after them.

It doesn't change the fact that somebody has died. They and everybody else were there to enjoy themselves, and no matter how silly or stupid people may behave, the end result is never for that intention.

It's a sad tragedy, one that could have been avoided, but in this instance wasn't. Can we not just leave it at that? Not sure there is anything else to add, certainly not to say that somebody deserved death.

I expect we will see changes to prevent another occurrence, be it Velcro seatbelts or something. At the end of the day, it's the parks responsibility to prevent danger as much as they can, and failed yesterday.

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk
 
The problem is that if this is found to be 100% user fault, it's unlikely to be highlighted, but rather shoved to the back of whatever discussion it's in and put down to being an accident because blaming the victims is not the done thing nowdays.

My dad (he's 76) has a similar attitude, reading Diogoj42's posts is like listening to my Dad, it's a generational thing, you guys have had a different upbringing to us, there were no tragic accidents when we were kids, either it was your fault or someone elses.
 
OK enough now. As Satch so rightly put it:

EuroSatch said:
It's a sad tragedy, one that could have been avoided, but in this instance wasn't. Can we not just leave it at that? Not sure there is anything else to add, certainly not to say that somebody deserved death.
Click to expand...

Now can we get back to sensible discussion?
 
Altonadvocate1 said:
Tragically sad.

I'm all for reasonable and preventative safety precautions, but life comes with risk. What part of that do they not understand.

I don't want to live in a sterile, boring, grey world of no fun.

I don't play rugby or football. I don't smoke and I don't drink to excess. I don't ski, race, or do many things that people like... but I do love roller coaster's. If people want to do these things and there not hurting anyone else I say good luck to them.

As a responsible adult I recognise that EVERYTHING carries at least a tiny degree of risk and I make my own decisions. Don't know about you lot, but I want to live a bit, before I die.

With odds of hundreds of millions to one against a serious accident, I'll take those odds.

Let's mitigate risk through quality engineering and safety procedures, but seriously... let's live a bit!
Click to expand...

This post sums up exactly my thoughts. Sometimes it can be easily forgotten that everything we do in life has some kind of risk. Driving our car, playing football, even walking down the street. There is always a small risk that something may go wrong in one way or another.

Theme parks and UK theme parks particularly are incredibly safe. Using Alton Towers as an example, according to their website; in their 37 year history they have welcomed 87 million visitors (more than the whole population of the UK!) and delivered over 1 billion (1,000,000,000) rides and they have only had one serious incident in this period as far as I am aware, and with no fatalities. If you think about it those are insane numbers and generally means that being at a theme park is actually one of the safest places you can be. Statistically you are more likely to die in a plane crash than an amusement park. I think I'll take my chances.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/scientists-calculate-odd-ways-die-282884
 
Im not really surprised but the overall negative reaction has been that the ride has to be made safer, but I really don't know how that's possible, I really doubt they will add seat belts so the only thing is to raise the height/age limit but would that be enough for most people.
Personally if they want someone to sit in a boat all day telling people to sit down I'm up for that
 
calpol said:
Im not really surprised but the overall negative reaction has been that the ride has to be made safer, but I really don't know how that's possible, I really doubt they will add seat belts so the only thing is to raise the height/age limit but would that be enough for most people.
Personally if they want someone to sit in a boat all day telling people to sit down I'm up for that
Click to expand...
Does anyone know how much it would cost to do that? My guess a ton. I suspect that will be asked for.
 
bits from the newswires:

09/05/17, 18:20
PA news
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said crews arrived on the scene and discovered a girl with serious injuries who had been rescued from the water by park staff.
The spokesman added: "Ambulance staff administered advanced life support before she was flown to Birmingham Children's Hospital with the doctor continuing treatment en route.
"Unfortunately, shortly after arrival at hospital the girl passed away."
Police Superintendent Carl Ratcliffe said: "Specially-trained officers are supporting the girl's family at this difficult time. Our thoughts are very much with her family and friends following this tragic incident."
The Health and Safety Executive is investigating.
The ride was closed following the incident.
In his statement, Mr Bryan said: "Further to a police statement which has been issued a few moments ago, it is with great sadness we have to report a young girl has passed away at Birmingham Children's Hospital following an incident on one of our rides this afternoon.
"Our staff were alerted that an 11-year-old girl had entered the water.
"Trained park staff were immediately on scene tending to the patient and West Midlands Ambulance arrived and airlifted her to hospital.
"We are all truly shocked and devastated, and our thoughts are with the family and friends at this horrendously difficult time."
It is believed the girl was on a school trip at the time of the incident.
The theme park's website states the ride, which opened in 1993, features up to 21 boats, each with up to six people in.
It is open to anyone at least 0.9m (3ft) tall, although those under 1.1m must be accompanied by an adult.
The website promises "a wild ride" with "fast-flowing rapids".
It adds: "Swerve around corners, splash through the waves, and get soaked as your boat is swept along our fast-flowing rapids. No two experiences are ever the same ...
"You'll feel like you're in the middle of the jungle as you speed, bounce, and splash your way around our river, past other rides and through the trees, experiencing the most unpredictable and thrilling of river rapid rides. It's called Splash Canyon for a reason."
The theme park said: "The Splash Canyon ride has been closed following an incident this afternoon. Emergency services are at the scene and our fully trained park staff are assisting."
A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said: "The HSE has been made aware of today's incident at Drayton Manor and is making initial inquiries along with emergency services."

----

10/05/17, 08:48
PA news
Drayton Manor Theme Park will remain shut on Wednesday as a mark of respect, and while investigators from the Health and Safety Executive continue their work.
The school, an integrated Islamic day school for girls, will also remain closed for the day.
According to one parent at the Jameah Academy, the girl fell from one of the boats when it hit a rock.
She told the Mail Online: "When the girl got up to change seats just then it hit a rock and she got knocked out of the boat and fell in the water and the water currents dragged her in."
The parent, who asked not to be named, said the girl disappeared from view after falling from the ride.
In a statement her school said it was providing "support to pupils and staff" and asked that the girl's family and the school community were given "time to grieve".
Drayton Manor's company director George Bryan, whose grandfather opened the park in the 1950s, said they were "truly shocked and devastated" by the death.
He appeared shaken as he read a statement at the park on Tuesday afternoon in which he said specially-trained staff were on the scene "immediately" after the alarm was raised.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said it was called to Drayton Manor Theme Park at 2.18pm and sent paramedics by land and air to the site, with the first crews arriving within seven minutes.
A spokesman said crews discovered a girl "with serious injuries who had been rescued from the water by park staff" on arrival.
After receiving advanced life support she was flown to Birmingham Children's Hospital with a doctor continuing treatment en route.
"Unfortunately, shortly after arrival at hospital it became apparent nothing could be done to save her and she was confirmed deceased," the spokesman said.
The ride, which opened in 1993, and features up to 21 boats each with a capacity of six people, was closed following the incident.
Offering a "a wild ride" with "fast-flowing rapids", riders must be at least 0.9m (3ft) tall, although those under 1.1m must be accompanied by an adult.
A spokesman for the HSE said on Tuesday: "The HSE has been made aware of today's incident at Drayton Manor and is making initial inquiries along with emergency services."
Drayton Manor officials said on Facebook on Tuesday: "The HSE have not asked us to close the park tomorrow.
"The decision has come from the team and the Bryan family as a mark of respect to the girl's family."

----

10/05/17, 11:50
FAMILY'S LAMENT FOR 'BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRL' EVHA AFTER THEME PARK DEATH
By Press Association Reporters
The family of an 11-year-old schoolgirl who died at a theme park have said they are "devastated that we will not see our beautiful little girl again".
Evha Jannath, from Leicester, fell out of a boat on the Splash Canyon ride during a school trip to the Tamworth-based theme park on Tuesday.
Staffordshire Police said Evha was recovered from the water and received advanced life support from ambulance crews before she was flown to Birmingham Children's Hospital where she later died.
In a statement issued through police, the family said: "Yesterday our world was torn apart by the news that our daughter and sister Evha, had lost her life in tragic circumstances, following a school trip to Drayton Manor Park.
"Evha was a beautiful little girl who was full of love and always smiling.
"Words cannot describe the pain and loss we feel, we are devastated that we will not see our beautiful little girl again.
"We ask that you allow us to grieve in private and deal with our loss as a family."

---

10/05/17, 11:55
Drayton Manor Theme Park will remain shut on Wednesday as a mark of respect, and while investigators from the Health and Safety Executive continue their work.
Jameah Academy, an integrated Islamic day school for girls, will also remain closed for the day, with counselling being offered to pupils affected by the tragedy.
Zainab Mohammad, whose 16-year-old sister went on the trip, said the tight-knit school community had been left devastated by the tragedy.
Speaking to reporters near the academy, the 26-year-old said: "It's tragic. We don't know what the cause is but what we really want is for the family to be able to grieve.
"A family member has been ripped from their family and it's a big loss.
Everybody is in utter shock, there are no words.
"I couldn't sleep last night, thinking of this."
Asked how her sister was coping after the death, Ms Mohammad added: "She came home, she spoke to mum and dad and she just went upstairs.
"She was devastated.
"She didn't want to talk about it. Nobody knows what's happened, we can't speculate on what has happened."
She also urged people not to speculate about the incident on Facebook and other social media.
Ms Mohammad said: "The school is not very big, everybody knows each other.
"It's really sad for the kids."
According to one parent at the Jameah Academy, the girl fell from one of the boats when it hit a rock.
She told the Mail Online: "When the girl got up to change seats just then it hit a rock and she got knocked out of the boat and fell in the water and the water currents dragged her in."
The parent, who asked not to be named, said the girl disappeared from view after falling from the ride.
Drayton Manor's company director George Bryan, whose grandfather opened the park in the 1950s, said they were "truly shocked and devastated" by the death.
He appeared shaken as he read a statement at the park on Tuesday afternoon in which he said specially-trained staff were on the scene "immediately" after the alarm was raised.
The ride, which opened in 1993, and features up to 21 boats each with a capacity of six people, was closed following the incident.
Offering a "a wild ride" with "fast-flowing rapids", riders must be at least 0.9m (3ft) tall, although those under 1.1m must be accompanied by an adult.
Jameah Academy said in a statement of "deepest sadness" on its website: "As a school community we are deeply shocked and our thoughts are with our pupil's family and friends.
"The school will ensure specially trained staff are in school to provide our pupils and staff support at this difficult time.
"We would request that the family and the school community are given time to grieve.
"Please be assured that the safety and wellbeing of our pupils is our foremost priority.
"We are liaising with the relevant authorities and therefore we are unable to provide any further information at this time."

----

10/05/2017, 13:05
MOTHER TALKS OF PREVIOUS ACCIDENT ON DRAYTON MANOR WATER RIDE
By Ryan Hooper, Press Association
A mother has described how her young son was rescued after falling into a water ride at Drayton Manor - four years before Leicester schoolgirl Evha Jannath died on the same ride.
Vikki Treacy said her son Patrick, 10, was "jolted" out of his boat as he rode on the Splash Canyon at the Tamworth-based theme park in 2013.
She told BBC 5 Live the boy was half-standing up on the ride when he was thrown "head-first" into the water. He was later pulled to safety by a quick-thinking member of the public.
Recalling the incident, she said: "I was just horrified to think that the same thing had happened again. Fortunately though my child survived and was able to climb out with the help of the public.
"Another lady that was stood beside me managed to jump over the barriers to get him out of the water.
"He sort of panicked and he couldn't get out on the rocks because they were all slippery.
"It was quite fortunate where my son fell, had it been somewhere else I don't think it would have been the same outcome."
Health and Safety Executive officers are continuing their investigations following the death of 11-year-old Evha during a school trip on Tuesday.
The park remains closed.
Ms Treacy said she reported her son's incident to park staff, but felt it was not taken seriously.
She told the radio show: "The medical staff were very good, they came along 10 minutes later in one of the buggies and brought some foil wrap for Patrick, and we spent a couple of hours in the medical centre, he was assessed.
"I was told the manager would ring me the following morning first thing, but it got to about midday and I'd had no phone call, I ended up ringing the manager myself and he wasn't even aware of my situation.
"I don't think my incident was taken seriously at all. It just seemed to be, 'your child was standing up, there you go, that's what happens'."
A park spokesman said: "We cannot comment during the ongoing investigation surrounding Splash Canyon other than to say the health and safety of our visitors is of paramount importance and we'd ask Vicky contacts us direct so that we can address her concerns."
 
Too add seat belts wouldn't be cheap
To raise height/age limit and no children/school groups without an adult would be an easier option I guess it wouldn't cost them anything
 
And adding in for reference of what else PA has sent to news outlets regarding recent(ish) theme park incidents - no mention of *that* M&D's one though...?

09/05/2017, 17:03
DRAYTON MANOR WATER RIDE CLOSURE ADDS TO UK THEME PARK INCIDENTS
By Press Association reporters
The Drayton Manor closure is the latest incident involving a ride at a UK theme park.
Here are the details of others in recent years:
:: More than 30 thrill-seekers were left stuck on a rollercoaster at Alton Towers in September last year - 15 months after the notorious Smiler crash which left riders with life-changing injuries.
:: In May last year, the Velociraptor rollercoaster at Paultons Park near Romsey in Hampshire broke down just a week after opening.
Around 20 people had to be evacuated after what a spokesman said was a "minor fault". The ride re-opened later that day.
:: Two months earlier, eight people had to be rescued from the Tornado rollercoaster at M&D's theme park in Motherwell, near Glasgow when it stopped working 20 feet above the ground.
No-one was injured and the ride was closed while the theme park investigated.
:: In June 2015, five people were seriously injured in a collision on the #18 million Smiler rollercoaster at Alton Towers. An investigation found a computer block stopping the ride because of a stationary car on the track was over-ridden
by staff, causing the crash.
As a result, the full carriage ploughed into the rear of the empty car. Leah Washington, then aged 17, had to have her left leg amputated above the knee - while Vicky Balch, then 19, also lost a leg in the crash.
:: The Smiler ride was temporarily closed in November 2013 after plastic guard wheels came loose and hit front-row riders.
The 14-loop rollercoaster, which took more than eight months to build, was shut for four days in July that year after a piece of track became dislodged, and was closed again for five days the following month because of another technical
issue.
:: In July 2011, a number of people on a ride at M&D's theme park were stranded for more than eight hours when it came to a halt 60 feet above the ground.
:: In June 2006, firefighters had to rescue eight children and four adults trapped 40ft above the ground on the Terror Rack ride at the Pleasure Island park in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire. It took the fire crews about an hour and a half to bring the people down to the ground after a safety device kicked in and halted the attraction.
:: In July 2005, four people were injured when a car came off its track at Ocean Beach amusement park in Rhyl, north Wales, when they were hit by another car.
A 32-year-old woman and 30-year-old man were taken to Glan Clwyd Hospital for treatment to chest injuries. Two other people received minor injuries and did not need treatment.
:: The previous year, a 16-year-old girl plummeted to her death from a ride at Oakwood theme park near Tenby in west Wales.
Hayley Liane Williams, of Pontypool, south Wales, died after falling from the Hydro Ride.
She plunged 100 feet from the ride on April 15, 2004. Swansea schoolboy Martin Rothwell, aged 10 at the time, was hit in the head and injured by the teenager as she fell past him. Safety changes were later made to the ride.
:: In November 2006, a French firm was found guilty of breaches of health and safety law after the death of a 20-year-old student on a rollercoaster.
Durham University student Gemma Savage died when two cars collided on the Treetop Twister ride at the Lightwater Valley theme park, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, on June 20, 2001.
Paris-based Reverchon Industries SA, which manufactured and supplied the ride, was found guilty at Leeds Crown Court of two charges of failing to ensure its safe design and construction, and failing to give information necessary to
ensure the ride was safe when open to the public.
:: In July 2002, teenager Salma Saleem plunged 30ft from a Ferris wheel at Gulliver's World in Warrington, Cheshire.
It was not clear how the 15-year-old, who had Down's Syndrome, managed to fall from the gondola, but Chester Crown Court - which fined the operators #80,000 - heard that locks on the restraining lap bars had a history of breaking.
 
I'll hold my hands up when I was younger I've switched seats on Rapids rides purely for a good photo. Safe to say I won't be doing that again. When you do these things you don't think anything of it you don't think for a minute you could die from it. I feel terribly for the girls family and friends.
 
On all rides with no belts i think people move about from time to time. The post above describing moving for a ride photo is a good example but I've seen people on pirate boats moving along the line, T-Cups is a good example of where you are free to move and could injure yourself. If you let people move then they will, you can't program humans to follow exactly the same rules. A 3 year old will normally do as he/she is told. a teenager generally will not ether on purpose or through excitement or naivety.

The problem here is there is water and a gap to fall into. I'm sure I've seen some rapids boats that have a net that covers the entrance and exit gap, there are also boats that have high ridges around. Draytons boats are the old style I think that I believe would be safer than the ones at Alton that have lower backs and less grip in terms of actual seating. We'll have to see what they come up with if anything.
 
Bilge-Rat Barges at Universal is the one that springs to mind that has netting:

bilge-rat-barges-7.jpg


Although that's one ride where people definitely will move around due to how wet it can be.
 
IanSR said:
My dad (he's 76) has a similar attitude, reading Diogoj42's posts is like listening to my Dad, it's a generational thing, you guys have had a different upbringing to us, there were no tragic accidents when we were kids, either it was your fault or someone elses.
Click to expand...

Actually thousands more people died during your dad's generation in almost every possible way due to the lack of the modern health and safety regulation that now saves thousands - if not millions - of lives worldwide each year.

To take just one example:

K77gKc6.png
 
Sam said:
Actually thousands more people died during your dad's generation in almost every possible way due to the lack of the modern health and safety regulation that now saves thousands - if not millions - of lives worldwide each year.

To take just one example:

K77gKc6.png
Click to expand...

Yup like I said, a generationl thing, it wasn't a case of "poor joe died in a tragic accident" it was "idiot joe wasn't wearing a seatbelt when he hit the tree, pillock".
 
And Alton Towers just confirmed their Rapids will be closed tomorrow and until further notice as a safety precaution


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Theme parks and schools risk assess on a constantly evolving basis.

The rigour surrounding school trip planning these days is extremely intense. Equally, health and safety requirements by ADIPS/HSE are also very high in order to protect the public as much as possible.

Unfortunately, as has happened here, no matter how thorough your risk assessments and health & safety is, accidents can still occur, which is a sad fact of life. It is impossible to mitigate every risk.

It is very upsetting to see such a tragic accident occurring at a place where people go to have fun.
 
I have to weigh in on this briefly. First of all my deepest sympathy lies with the family of young Evha. No matter the circumstances this is a horrible, awful tragedy. Eleven. Years. Old. It's hard to read.

My thoughts go out to the family, and also to the other school kids riding that particular raft with her when it happened. I sincerely hope they are offered as much support as they can get, as somebody who has witnessed similar tragedies I can say that this incident will stay with them for the rest of their lives, effectively watching their friend die.

This aside, I have a couple of thoughts on the repercussions of the incident. Firstly SeaWorld Orlando's "Infinity Falls" project. The ride concept claims it lifts your raft up on a vertical lift before tipping you down onto the rapids. If this isn't coming under intense scrutiny right now re: safety features then I will be shocked.

My thoughts then go to the U.K theme park industry as a whole. I've never been keen on water rides in the U.K, I mean the weather here sucks and our "heatwave" is as warm as a fart in Florida's winter. That aside, I note the earlier comparison in this thread to Universal Orlando's Bilge Rat Barges and the safety netting they have locked in there. Busch Gardens I believe employ a similar tactic on their raft ride (although I could be mistaken). Here in the U.K I've always felt Alton, Thorpe, Drayton all multi person water rafting rides have felt a little dodgy. And here we are today, an accident has occurred and the 9 o'clock jury will be saying things like "could a safety net have saved her life?".

I am sure we will see upgraded features on water rafting rides. I am 50/50 sure they may well leave said rides closed for the rest of the season. And I am waiting for the press to fire up the "theme parks are evil and death awaits you" bandwagon as they did for The Smiler for months and months afterward.

It's a difficult one to process, this incident. What happens over the next few days and weeks will be key in restoring faith in our amusement park industry after a very hard hit-for-six. I'd hate to be the CEOs of Merlin et all right now.

Once again, a simply awful incident. RIP Evha.
 
cptnmingo said:
This aside, I have a couple of thoughts on the repercussions of the incident. Firstly SeaWorld Orlando's "Infinity Falls" project. The ride concept claims it lifts your raft up on a vertical lift before tipping you down onto the rapids. If this isn't coming under intense scrutiny right now re: safety features then I will be shocked.
Click to expand...

Infinity Falls will feature rather tight seat belts to prevent any standing up and is a tried and tested ride system with operating versions around the world, Infinity Falls just happens to be the largest.

Unfortunately people have fallen out of rapids rides before this incident so there is no reason why there would be any new concerns regarding Infinity Falls after what happened yesterday.
 
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