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Incident on The Smiler 02/06/2015

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BBC News reported not long ago that all people are now off the ride. Not seen or heard from the WMAS news conference though.

:)
 
BBC's reporting that everyone is off, but from what I've seen, the press conference is due to be on ITV in the next few mins
 
What I really don't understand is why the second train was dispatched, full of people, when the last of the test trains hadn't made it back to the station...

This is something only a human can control, and nothing to do with any potential faults with the computer system.
 
Tom.B said:
What I really don't understand is why the second train was dispatched, full of people, when the last of the test trains hadn't made it back to the station...
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Do they need all of them to return before deciding that it's safe to load and dispatch a train with people?
 
My wishes are with all those on and off the ride, must take a big psychological toll on not just the riders but also the OPs.

Like what has already been said, I highly doubt we'll see the Smiler in action anytime this year.
 
Tom.B said:
What I really don't understand is why the second train was dispatched, full of people, when the last of the test trains hadn't made it back to the station...

This is something only a human can control, and nothing to do with any potential faults with the computer system.
Click to expand...

It doesn't matter that it was a test train, they can't wait for the previous train to return before sending the next or throughput would be about 400/hr. The block system should prevent this from happening, and the most concerning thing is that the train had been stopped on the lift for some time before moving.
 
Most on my facebook are just asking if it will be open next week because the 'need to ride it'. :confused:

And yeah, imagine how all involved are feeling, must be terrible. :(
 
Very shocked to learn of this accident, as we all are. I hope those injured, physically and psychologically, will recover soon. The facts will be established, however I'm utterly sickened by Sky News and their usual approach to any incidents where people are injured. Suggesting that someone "may" have died as a result of this, without confirmation from the proper authorities is much worse than Twitter trolls suggesting the same. A parent or loved ones of those visiting the park may happen to have been watching. A foul organisation.
 
josht said:
http://m.ashbournenewstelegraph.co....-Towers-died/story-26618998-detail/story.html
A man has died this morning In a car crash I think it's a little more important at the moment
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Although I appreciate this is saddening, this is a topic regarding the incident on The Smiler today. News from elsewhere can be discussed in their own relevant topics.

The latest statement from Ian Crabbe (divisional director):

“May I first say that my colleagues and I are devastated by what has happened here today, and our only priority at this time is to work with the emergency services to get the 16 people affected off the ride safely, and most importantly those who are injured are being cared for. Our concern is with and for them and for their safety, and all our thoughts and efforts are focused on them.”

“Just to recap at around 2pm this afternoon there was an incident on the Smiler ride involving two carriages coming together on a low section of the track. One of the carriages was empty and the other had 16 guests in.”

“A full investigation is underway, and representatives of the Health and Safety Executive are already on site and working with us. But as I said our absolute priority at the moment is to ensure that all the guests affected are safely off the ride and are being cared for. ”
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John said:
It doesn't matter that it was a test train, they can't wait for the previous train to return before sending the next or throughput would be about 400/hr. The block system should prevent this from happening, and the most concerning thing is that the train had been stopped on the lift for some time before moving.
Click to expand...

If it is true that it was stopped on the lift hill for a while before crashing then it might be the block system that stopped it on there. So could be that as the empty train was stuck the people on the lift hill would need to be evacuated as the other train would need to be removed via crane and would have taken a while. So my guess is that they were going to lower the train back down the lift hill but something went wrong and the train went forward instead of back down.
 
What an awful day for all involved, I sincerely hope both guests and employees receive all the care and support they need after this, as there are sure to be both physical and mental implications.
 
dazza4783 said:
If it is true that it was stopped on the lift hill for a while before crashing then it might be the block system that stopped it on there. So could be that as the empty train was stuck the people on the lift hill would need to be evacuated as the other train would need to be removed via crane and would have taken a while. So my guess is that they were going to lower the train back down the lift hill but something went wrong and the train went forward instead of back down.
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The pictures that I've seen show the stopped train right at the top of the lift. This would make perfect sense as is probably the worst way it could have happened. If true then the ride ops would have known exactly what was going to happen.
 
Humans are selfish creatures. Whilst the world continues to shrink it is only when something that affects your little sphere of existence that you become moved. I saw the boat capsize this lunch time and it slipped off me, sliding past my field of concern like butter in a pan. Then, shortly after 2pm I received a text. A text that, at the time, I belittled and passed off as someone having a prank. But I sat in my office for the rest of the afternoon, unable to work, unable to tear my eyes from the forums and news feeds. Gradually feeling sicker and sicker.Every moment came with it a dawning realisation. Initially I had foolishly wished that I was on the car and could witness an evac from a valleyed position, then I heard that there was a collision of 2 trains and I started to regret my wish. I could very well have been on park today, if not for a last minute change to Thursday. That could have been me sitting on Smiler. Suddenly it all hit home and I felt beyond sick. I sat pale and unable to not watch more. I walked home as an air ambulance flew overhead, landing at North Staffs, and I thought, I hope your going to be ok to the person sat on board, I walked past a lady who was crying. it was probably unrelated but that along with every sad face I saw on my walk home filled me with sorrow beyond words.

So that's why I am writing this couple of paragraphs, to say that my heart goes out to everyone involved:
To the people on the ride, who were unlucky enough to be on the car when this happened.
To the other guests at the park who are now on their way homes feeling lucky to be alive.
To the friends and families of anyone who was on park today. (I had 4 worried texts making sure I wasn't at alton)
To the staff who worked on Smiler today who will, no doubt, need as many friends as they have tonight.
To the staff working throughout the park, from ride hosts to management who will, I am sure, all shed a tear sometime tonight.
To the staff who work at any theme park who will be silently glad that it wasn't their park and feel guilty for that thought.
And even to every one of the 'fan-boys' and 'fan-girls' who sat like I did, from shortly after 2pm in shock.
 
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