pluk

I think they'd rather close it than even considering running it on less than three trains. They will make it safe. They will reopen it.

I think it is safe to say that Merlin now know exactly the chain of events which led to this incident being possible. They were able to make a quick fix to a number of rides and open them, they still have Saw closed. I think then that the exact same circumstances could play out on Saw, which would make sense as they are very similar. They'll need something in place to counter that before they reopen it. It will be more than being 'extra cautious' I'm sure!

It stalls there not infrequently. That could be considered an underlying fault with the ride as it shouldn't be a regular occurrence, but it is not really at the heart of this incident. All coasters have the potential to stall which is why they have the block sensor systems, how that system was bypassed or failed is what 'caused' the collision, not the ride car being there.

The abuse comes when someone has the band who doesn't need it and can queue, they use the pass then while they wait for their next pass use to be allowed they queue in a normal queue. They are then effectively queuing for two rides at once and will pretty much get twice as much done as a person not using it. It obviously can't really be abused by people who are genuinely unable to queue! It really doesn't take long at a park to notice a not unsubstantial amount of people abusing it in exactly this way.

Harsh. He's not saying all users, he's not tarring all with the same brush, but to think this does not happen on quite a large scale takes an unacceptable level of naivety. Its not those with any genuine need that he's commenting on. Abusable system in getting abused shocker. I'm sure the vast majority of users of the systems in place would not want preferential treatment for people to resent. I'm sure a system where they wait an equal amount of time but elsewhere would be welcomed by nearly everyone using it for the right reasons. It's not wrong to say this.

Although nothing should be taken for certain, some people have a reputation for knowledge and truth and should just be listened to. Pay attention and work out who. We will all know in due course, because as much as Towers might not want the full facts laid bare the Health and Safety executive will take that out of their hands when they publish their report.

Says half the population of the southeast of England! I really hope it isn't too long, it will kill them otherwise.

Ah, missed that bit. I thought King Solomans was long dead and that seems to be the case. This new wild mouse is something I suppose but they'e stepped quite a long way from what I consider heritage with a few bits now, I think they need to be careful not to dilute the vision too much and become just another indistinct seaside fairground.

Yes, that one looks wooden. But the one they have is... This is what was being spoken about.

It's not made of wood. I see the opening night tickets have sold out, so at least part of that doom-mongering is not true! The place will fail though, until they get the scenic going. I just hope the cost of being open without it is not too high and doesn't go on too long.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-girl-dies-magic-mountain-ride-20150615-story.html California - the girl who lost consciousness riding Revolution at 6FMM has died in hospital. The ride has been reclosed pending an investigation.

I think 'not worried about' in terms of bumping does not make the ride unsafe, rather than they are not worried about having a rusting pile of junk that desperately deeds replacing.

Not rules as such, but the NUJ code of cunduct by which they purport to abide includes All of which I'd say were missed by quite a long way here, especially in aggressively trying to force him to disclose others medical conditions. Really not on that.

Blackpool - Report on man who broke his back while riding the National last year. Appears he had an underlying back problem when riding.

I assume H&Se have finished the physical checking part of their investigation then, I'm sure towers would have kept that area off limits while they were on site.

I really don't like the things that keep coming from the lawyers regarding compensation claims and the like. It seems they are trying to publicly posture themselves rather than just dealing with things privately. Totally not necessary or appropriate while the victims are still laying in their hospital beds, that stuff shouldn't be for now. It's like Merlin have disarmed them by admitting liability and not fighting litigation, they don't seem to know how to deal with that.

A few bits that aren't The Smiler... California - Injuries unknown. B&M inverter Flight Deck at Great America strikes worker, also injuring rider. California - Injuries unknown. Girl found unconscious after riding revolution at 6FMM. Not known if ride related. Maine - Injuries unknown. Travelling kiddie coaster falls apart during operation, three children hurt. At the same carnival a woman is hurt trying to get off a swing ride before it stops. USA - The ride operator in the 2013 Vortex incident pleads guilty to assault with a deadly weapon having bypassed the rides safety system. Calafornia - Woman dies falling from free drop platform. Not a ride, but a fairground attraction jumping onto an air pillow. Presumably she missed the pillow.

But what is the R&R wait?

Think we'll bring this back in the closed season...

Yes we know the train stopped on the lifthill, and sometime later went on its way to the inevitable collision. But we don't know the 'whys'. Was it because of the stall it stopped initially, or did something else cause the stop? Could this something else have masked the stall to either the computer or the staff? Did staff actually make an action that caused the restart or did the computer simply malfunction? Was correct procedure actually followed but a flaw in the design of the software or procedure manual caused the ride to start unexpectedly? While you are very nearly certainty right, I think it's a bit early to simply declare it human error while the investigation continues and so little is publicly known.

I'm sure the original original smell, which was strongest right at the start of the ride, was grape. A can of KA grape juice smells just like it used to.

If these numbers are right it sounds like they need to be communicating how the system works and its benefits better. People aren't used to things being free at a Theme Park! They probably think it's a version of fastrack, or simply don't understand it at all. There must be a valid reason for all these people to be joining a massive pointless queue, they can't all be idiots!

Oh dear, I take it back! That's a pathetic piece of journalism.

Glad yesterday seemed to go smoothly and the press resisted going to the park with 'zomg, a ride has routeenly broken down, will everyone die' reports every time nothing happened. Hopefully the circus has moved on now, the injured can start their recovery in peace, and the park can get back to normal. I'd think that is pretty much the last we'll hear of it now until one of those involved sell their story or the report into the cause is released.

This is a big problem, no? If they can't get this right, which from experience and this post today they can't, how on earth will they ever get such a complex system running smoothly. Despite my general negativity I'd love them to get this working, but how about starting with the very basic 'even remotely accurate queue time' first? Then move on to the world of complex virtual queuing. Making it 'work' (ie not cause the park to implode) on a dead day isn't particularly impressive.