Smiler rollercoaster at Alton Towers - carriage collision

Brutal biff · 3 Jun 2015 at 02:15

Monkeynut said:
The wait times in AT are ridiculous anyway. This won't help.

might help the waiting times

G-MAN2004 · 3 Jun 2015 at 02:31

Jesus, the thought of smashing into something stationary at that speed with your legs hanging out...

SonniLombardi · 3 Jun 2015 at 02:37

Awful news I hope the people make a full recovery! I've not been for years (around 2007 maybe?)

Anyway was doing a bit of research on some of the rides, found this video from a families 1984 visit, it's crazy to see what has changed in 31 years! it was only £3.99 to get in back the as well haha!

malachi · 3 Jun 2015 at 05:56

Worthy said:
What happened? I think I missed that one!

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/sep/01/rebeccaallison

Its had quite a few going by its history :eek:

Skidder · 3 Jun 2015 at 06:51

Monkeynut said:
The safety has already been explained, it was slightly tongue in cheek though.

Where were safety issues with the big one explained? they weren't, but point it out.

Efour · 3 Jun 2015 at 07:16

Nasty

This just re-enforces my roller-coaster phobia.

MooMoo444 · 3 Jun 2015 at 07:32

Never been on this ride, don't think I want to now either

neil_g · 3 Jun 2015 at 07:35

MooMoo444 said:
Never been on this ride, don't think I want to now either

Isn't this a bit like a fear of flying though? Are you not statistically more likely to have a car crash on the way to AT?

dbmzk1 · 3 Jun 2015 at 08:20

MooMoo444 said:
Never been on this ride, don't think I want to now either

I'd go on it today, so long as there was only 1 car in use

The Geezer · 3 Jun 2015 at 08:57

neil_g said:
Isn't this a bit like a fear of flying though? Are you not statistically more likely to have a car crash on the way to AT?

Who was listening to Radio 4 this morning ?

Freakbro · 3 Jun 2015 at 09:02

The Geezer said:
Who was listening to Radio 4 this morning ?

Don't keep us in suspense....what did they say?

Cosimo · 3 Jun 2015 at 09:06

Freakbro said:
Don't keep us in suspense....what did they say?

There is no need to be afraid.

KiwiTaff · 3 Jun 2015 at 09:09

Read somewhere that one of the victims has lost his/her leg as a result of this accident.

Was only on it a few weeks ago. Wonder what is going to happen in regards to claims.

antijoke · 3 Jun 2015 at 09:13

KiwiTaff said:
Read somewhere that one of the victims has lost his/her leg as a result of this accident.

Was only on it a few weeks ago. Wonder what is going to happen in regards to claims.

Sky saying all four have life changing injuries. Doesn't sound good at all.

Tefal · 3 Jun 2015 at 09:15

MooMoo444 said:
Never been on this ride, don't think I want to now either

i have, its awesome.

Freakbro · 3 Jun 2015 at 09:16

Cosimo said:
There is no need to be afraid.

Oh, I don't know....

adam cool dude · 3 Jun 2015 at 09:26

anticonscience said:
Sky saying all four have life changing injuries. Doesn't sound good at all.

Feel terrible for those who have serious injuries. apparently one guy lost his leg. I always used to wait that little extra to go on the front although I haven't been to Alton towers since 2007. Would make me think different now.

It wouldn't surprise me if it was an operators fault. It doesn't make any sense to release an empty cart without waiting for it to return. I guess their all kids operating on minimum wage with little training.

crunchman · 3 Jun 2015 at 09:43

thenewoc said:
I'm very surprised that given one or more circumstances exist that the ride could manually be started. It seems a lot of responsibility to be placed on a ride attendant.

Well, ride attendants aren't supposed to have access to manually operate any rollecoaster in AT, engineers are the only ones that can do this and there's strict guidelines that no guests are on the ride while in manual mode.

Something/someone seriously messed up yesterday and has changed a lot of peoples lives :/

While most coasters have teething problems, Smiler has consistently had problems even now (been open 2 years), good ride mind!

MooMoo444 · 3 Jun 2015 at 10:01

neil_g said:
Isn't this a bit like a fear of flying though? Are you not statistically more likely to have a car crash on the way to AT?

Maybe, but I have to drive to get to work, I don't have to risk my life on a coaster

Delvis · 3 Jun 2015 at 10:04

History of problems
A group of 16 journalists were left dangling on it at a steep angle as they tried out the rollercoaster before it opened to the public.
The ride shut for four days in July 2013 after a piece fell off the track, and 48 people had to be rescued.
It closed again in August 2013 for five days due to a "technical issue".
In November 2013 it closed for five days after wheels fell off and hit four people in the front carriage. The injured people were looked after by park staff and did not need treatment by the ambulance service, a spokeswoman said at the time.
Riders were also left stranded in the air when the ride ground to a halt at the top of a near vertical section 14 months ago.

The stupidist thing about all this is the fact that the carriage was released prior to the other returning...I went to an American Theme Park the other day where there are two carriages, one does not leave until the other is back in the loading bay. It's not rocket Science.