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Incident on The Smiler 02/06/2015
Sam
TS Member
Four teenagers lives have possibly been ruined permanently due to this park's negligence. Whether it's human error or down to the shoddy manufacturer they chose to get the ride on the cheap, it makes no difference - the park have been negligent. It is impossible to think of any way that this accident could have happened that doesn't lead to this conclusion. The outpouring of sympathy and defence for the theme park over this incident - rather than the condemnation they deserve - is truly shocking.
Scott
Former TS Team Member
So the whole park is at fault because of what could have been one persons error? The praise being placed towards Merlin and Towers is due to their professionalism and reaction to the event. It's pretty unprecedented for a park to close for two days after an incident like this. How often do we see parks open the next day after even more serious incidents?Four teenagers lives have possibly been ruined permanently due to this park's negligence. Whether it's human error or down to the shoddy manufacturer they chose to get the ride on the cheap, it makes no difference - the park have been negligent. It is impossible to think of any way that this accident could have happened that doesn't lead to this conclusion. The outpouring of sympathy and defence for the theme park over this incident - rather than the condemnation they deserve - is truly shocking.
I don't think anyone is trivialising the situation or saying that Towers are free of all blame, but the praise and support is based around the aftermath of the event and the fact that many members of staff are probably traumatised about the whole thing...
It would be unfair to condemn Towers, Merlin, Gerst, individuals or anything until the investigation is complete.
DiogoJ42
TS Member
Never complain about me criticising the park again.blah blah etc. etc.
Bantanium
TS Member
In my opinion when that guy said "All big rides have problems" that is pretty true.So the whole park is at fault because of what could have been one persons error? The praise being placed towards Merlin and Towers is due to their professionalism and reaction to the event. It's pretty unprecedented for a park to close for two days after an incident like this. How often do we see parks open the next day after even more serious incidents?
I don't think anyone is trivialising the situation or saying that Towers are free of all blame, but the praise and support is based around the aftermath of the event and the fact that many members of staff are probably traumatised about the whole thing...
It would be unfair to condemn Towers, Merlin, Gerst, individuals or anything until the investigation is complete.
AstroDan
TS Team
Personally, until the actual reasons for the crash are identified, it's difficult to direct blame in one particular way.
From my experience working at Alton Towers in 2007, health and safety, along with procedures, were rigorously followed.
From my experience working at Alton Towers in 2007, health and safety, along with procedures, were rigorously followed.
Coaster
TS Member
Not sure how much credibility this has, if any, but someone claims that they heard a "clank" three hours before the incident.
If there was a problem with one of the trains then this could potentially explain why it stalled.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-new...r-crash-passenger-5818351?ICID=FB_mirror_main
If there was a problem with one of the trains then this could potentially explain why it stalled.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-new...r-crash-passenger-5818351?ICID=FB_mirror_main
Sam
TS Member
The difference between Towers and EP: at EP, the procedures staff follow are less rigorous but the ride systems are vastly higher quality and are upgraded more frequently. However much human error played a part, both major recent incidents (this and the Flume) should not have happened if the ride system had been functioning correctly. A truly safe ride system will not allow human error to put two trains in the same block section.
delta79
TS Member
In my factory maintenance days, more that once members of maint team had lent into control boxes and nugged something, causing an unwanted operation.Personally, until the actual reasons for the crash are identified, it's difficult to direct blame in one particular way.
From my experience working at Alton Towers in 2007, health and safety, along with procedures, were rigorously followed.
Rose Of Dawn
TS Member
Euro-Mir had an accident in 2004, which resulted in a girl having a broken leg:
http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/forums/europe-roller-coasters-parks/21318
Clearly, accidents can happen at any park.
http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/forums/europe-roller-coasters-parks/21318
Clearly, accidents can happen at any park.
TomLad
TS Member
And yet this time Flamingo Land have escaped the unwanted press attention. Looking at pictures of that, someone could have easily come out of that car! I knew I hated Hero for a reason.... Either way, recent events will not stop me riding The Smiler, nor any other rides at Alton/any park. Should Alton/Merlin be condemned for this? Personally, no. They did and will be doing a great job dealing with this. A cause and blame will be found in due course and in the meantime it's probably best if people stop pointing fingers. Apart from at Flamingo Land, everything there is a mess.
Bantanium
TS Member
Alton Towers have dun goofed this timeAnd yet this time Flamingo Land have escaped the unwanted press attention. Looking at pictures of that, someone could have easily come out of that car! I knew I hated Hero for a reason.... Either way, recent events will not stop me riding The Smiler, nor any other rides at Alton/any park. Should Alton/Merlin be condemned for this? Personally, no. They did and will be doing a great job dealing with this. A cause and blame will be found in due course and in the meantime it's probably best if people stop pointing fingers. Apart from at Flamingo Land, everything there is a mess.
Four teenagers lives have possibly been ruined permanently due to this park's negligence. Whether it's human error or down to the shoddy manufacturer they chose to get the ride on the cheap, it makes no difference - the park have been negligent. It is impossible to think of any way that this accident could have happened that doesn't lead to this conclusion. The outpouring of sympathy and defence for the theme park over this incident - rather than the condemnation they deserve - is truly shocking.
I'll take this post as sarcasm, as there is no way it can be serious......
I was left with a broken bone in my hand on one trip to the park at the end of April, has it made headline news? no it hasn't, and to who asked is the knot after lift 2 the answers is half of it is before lift 2 and the other half is after so 2 train could be in the knot at the same time.
MaxPower
TS Member
Just been looking at the Alton Towers facebook page and can't believe how many people keep asking 'will the park be open on......date'. The park clearly doesn't have a day set to reopen so why ask?
It will be interesting to see if this indeed a fault with ride system itself or human error, it seems there are so many variables that could have caused this.
It will be interesting to see if this indeed a fault with ride system itself or human error, it seems there are so many variables that could have caused this.
The accident over all makes me shiver, the screams, the malfunction, CSI Cyber and the theories. I have one which probably is just nope but here it is. Could The Smiler been hacked, as in the systems that run it? Probably not but I'm really curious![]()
No.
