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Media Coverage of Alton Towers

What annoys me most is that it would just take a quick Google search from these journalists to actually get the correct information.
 
Whenever I'm writing anything, I always make sure to do my research so it's as accurate as possible before publishing it. Clearly, the press seem to be more interested in getting articles out quick, regardless of accuracy.
 
The article in the Mirror is ridiculous, claiming the ride has stalled at the top of the first loop.

I've emailed them regarding it as its a pack of lies.

You would think, given the recent Hillsborough inquests and the lies that were trotted out concerning that, that journalists would be ensuring they were telling the truth, apparently not.
 
It's laughable really, i mean you'd think they would at least try and get some of the fact straight.
But unfortunately towers is an easy target at the moment so any of the GP on park are going to make a big deal out of things like this because of what they've previously read.
Its somewhat of a vicious circle really.
 
I thought the BBC article was pretty balanced.

"People in front of them were crying and shouting for help, they said, but staff climbed up to reassure them."
In my mind this shows people are still spooked by The Smiler accident. Top marks to the ride staff for climbing up to the riders to reassure them. :)
 
I was just reading The Daily Fails coverage of 'Air Galactica'. I don't know which is worse - the glaring errors and sensationalism or the gullability of those in the comments section. I agree the BBC played more of a balanced role as they tend to do, but it still had a whiff of bull about it all.

I do feel for Alton, Mandy and her Beach of Pleasure have gotten off lightly in comparrison - multiple accidents/injuries and deaths over the years but an untarnished reputation? :confused:
 
If I was their lawyers I'd be going crazy over this report over a standard breakdown. That position is comfier than being in the flying position on the break run, it was only half an hour, I've been stuck on thirteen about that length of time, the amount of inaccuracies in the report is atrocious and maybe they could do with hiring a few enthusiasts to do fact checks for them? I'd happily take a few grand off them to do this.
 
The best bit of the BBC article has to be when it talks about this 20 minute breakdown happening "less than a year after The Smiler crash which left two women needing to have legs amputated."

Yeah, cause this is clearly a comparable situation o_O
 
Welcome to how the world works. Remember, every one of us are experts and ‘the general public’ simultaneously. We know coasters, most don’t. Others know molecular science, knitting, cake-baking, golfing and table tennis and we don’t.

In a world where twats endlessly tweet, in the aftermath of a totally preventable crash, people who happen to be journalists and ‘general public’, are going to publish this sort of thing.

Being stuck on a ride is not pleasant and can and does induce panic attacks in some people. People will tweet about their experiences and those tweets will get into the press, wrapped in a combination of sensationalism (it generates clicks and its what most of us want, like it or not, just not targeted at us/our interests) and ignorance. There will be more. And more. Then more.

Bitching about it on here doth butter no parsnips. Sensible, objective rebunks and remarks on social media and comment sections however, provide butter aplenty – provided they’re dressed in the general public’s finery. ‘I iz an infuziast and itz like wrong!!1!’ won’t win over those who dine on ignorance.

On a side note and apologies to the mods for a post which belongs nowhere. The new plans look like utter tosh. All that time and THIS is the best they can come up with? The park needs a log flume replacement before it needs a new coaster. Loadsa coasters, no flumes. A Log Flume is to a park what a chorus is to a song. As such, I truly hope the plans get refused. Also, the closure of so much reminds me of the lead up to American Adventure and Dreamland’s demises and is the opposite of what they should be doing.

Add to that the failure to provide an adhered to procedure on that dreadful ‘close your eyes and pretend it’s someone else’s wife/husband’ remake of Air with regard to whether you are or are not allowed to not wear the headsets and the future is truly terrifying. The Smiler’s crash was caused by the park failing to put adequate procedures in place following the Alton Mouse Crash in 1991 – few parks make the same mistake twice. Now, it’s appears that there are no procedures in place (or they’ve changed/not been communicated to staff/been communicated in a badly organised manner) regarding the headsets. If someone has their nose broken by one they’ve taken off due to not wanting to wear it in the first place and therefore not stowing it correctly, it could very well result in a chain of events that results in the park joining American Adventure. The best thing Merlin could do is to sack every single member of management that’s been parachuted in and promote those who ‘ve gained knowledge of the park who actually know what they’re doing.

As a fan of the park for many, many years, and someone who’s watching from both the general public and enthusiast’s perspectives, I’ve never been more concerned about the park’s future.
 
Amnesiac said:
Shush, sugarplum. It was inspired by my extensive study of 17th century etymology, whatever that means. I didn't nick it from Joe Lycet's parking ticket interlude on said show at all.
Click to expand...

Haha! BUSTED! ;):p
 
Spike said:
I do feel for Alton, Mandy and her Beach of Pleasure have gotten off lightly in comparrison - multiple accidents/injuries and deaths over the years but an untarnished reputation? :confused:
Click to expand...

I guess it's because incidents at Towers are far rarer. Over 36 years of operation Towers has had, what, 2 or 3 big incidents. This crash is the biggest incident in the history of Alton Towers. Shows how good their safety record is. The fact it happened at Alton Towers is what the media love. This is the UKs most well recognized theme park, one that started the foundations for large themed parks in the UK, it comes with such interest and such a following the media love to lap this up and draw out these non-stories, because it's guaranteed that interest, and clicks, of course.

We all know this will continue for a good while although I do wonder how far Alton Towers can be pushed. Sure Merlin owns them, but the severe cuts this year shows the park doesn't have a whole lot of support to carry on as it stands.

Also, LOL at whoever added Galactica to Wiki. :D
 
number one read story on facebook today? "Alton Towers New rollercoaster breaks down leaving people stranded upside down" FFS how can they get away with such lies
 
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