The Smiler Incident 02/06/2015

[Ian-S]

They're not interested in factual reporting interesting stuff like who designed the coaster or who built it, Merlin operate it, so big bad buck stops with them as far as MSM are concerned. (MSM = main stream media), if they were they'd have picked up on Saw on Wednesday.

[Coaster]

This article is a complete p*** take, completely unrelated and unacceptable.

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/thirty-accidents-alton-towers-three-9397443

 

It's almost as if these people have a vendetta against Alton Towers.

[Ricky]

I reckon the Ropers are sending in duff information.

On a side note, whilst battling the humidity of Lanzarote, I was watching Sky News, the latest news report on the incident ended with the lady saying "the future of The Smiler and Saw is looking bleak".

Hmm...

[Will]

LOL so do I take it you agreed with the way she interviewed him?

Interview implies asking a question, get the answer, then ask another, either related or not, she didn't let him finish one sentence and quiet often interrupted him before he'd even started talking. She is a repulsive, fear mongering hack undeserving of her position, nothing more.

If that makes me insensitive, guilty as charged.

 

I'm not saying you're insensitive for calling her a bitch or for disagreeing with what she did, because I do too, but saying no wonder she got slapped / physically-assaulted when she acts like that professionally, IS insensitive and is wrong.

 

I do think how she handled her interviewing of Nick was wrong and I can't imagine what he's going through, and I am interested to know why this happened, as these coasters have been working fine for all these years.

 

I do hope no one has lost a leg   and I can't imagine how the ride ops and people working there feel, and hope they get through ok.

Edited June 5, 2015 by Will

[JoshC.]

That Sky News interview was one of the most frustrating things I have ever listened to.  The guy at the end saying how Varney must know what has gone wrong was so frustrating too.  There's trying to create a story and there's just being down-right ridiculous.  Varney looked like he wanted cry during that interview too...

 

Just argh.

[Will]

I think Nick is very brave because he's basically putting a target on his head by going on TV like that. I wouldn't have handled myself as well as Nick did, for if someone kept jumping down my throat without giving me a chance to answer, think or breathe, I know I would've got annoyed.

 

I found it annoying how she kept putting words into his mouth and kept trying to get him to admit / say that the existing regulations weren't strong enough. I mean, if they weren't strong enough an accident would've happened long ago, and for all people including Kay knows, it might not have been anything to do with the existing safety regulations but down to human error.

 

I'm happy that Merlin decided to take precaution by closing any other coasters in case something happens, as it's better to be safe than sorry. I wonder how the new safety regulations differ from the previous ones and how this incident affects the rest of the theme park world and maybe this will be enough of a reason for the parks around the world to re-asses their existing safety measures.

[Ricky]

From this point forth, please can all members keep the threatening tone to a minimum. Whilst I'm sure we can all agree, that the interview was unfair and we are all entitled to our own opinion, however, threatening behaviour is unacceptable.

Please take a more political stance in regards to the Interview.

[Mer]

I reckon the Ropers are sending in duff information.

Haha - I was only thinking yesterday, "I wonder what the Ropers make of all this!"

There are various papers claiming that surgeons have managed to save the legs of one of the front row victims, according to their gran. Well, it was initially given to the Sun and other papers have pretty much copied it! Hopefully this is actually true - and if it is, even more shame on the papers who claimed that they had already lost a leg!

http://m.burtonmail.co.uk/8203-Alton-Towers-Critically-ill-victim-set-sue/story-26643712-detail/story.html

The BBC news report during the 10pm news failed to include that though and still mentioned the "life-changing injuries".

Also, here's one [FB status] I made earlier:

Can't believe that MAP holders are asking for their passes to be extended either! Firstly, there are 31 UK attractions you can use them at. Again, number 9 in the T&Cs clearly states the right about closing attractions etc and no refund, compensation etc will be payable. Ok so it doesn't specify extensions. But it doesn't need to, because pass holders agree to those T&Cs and Merlin have those rights.

Thank god for all the decent, understanding people out there to balance things out!

[Coaster]

There are various papers claiming that surgeons have managed to save the legs of one of the front row victims, according to their gran.

I really, really hope this is true.

[Ian-S]

We should probably agree to disagree Will, so I'll keep this brief and to the point, there we go

Are MAP holders really asking for extensions? Oh my some people need a lesson in perspective there me thinks.

[Whatever]

I'm going to take this with a pinch (no, a ladle (no, a jug)) of salt because someone on Instagram is claiming that the Smiler will be open next Friday along with Saw. I think that it's a bunch of male Cow poop especially as this person claimed in the comments that Merlin were losing £12m a day.

But I'm just putting it out there.

[Ian-S]

Doubtful, the entire group only bought in £3.5m a day in 2014 (based on 1.25billion revenue divided by 365), so there's some funky accounts going on if Alton Towers being closed on an off-peak day is loosing them £12m each day now.

[Mysterio Ka]

They're losing alot of money, but it has only been reported for £500,000 a day for the alton towers theme park, not resort. (I think).

But also, guests will not attend other theme parks due to their closure of rides, and also the lack of theme park for AT hotel guests will make them lose money further.

However, I'm not sure if it's included in these costs, but the park will be saving a little on running costs too.

[Merry-go-girl]

There really is no cause for Alton Towers to remain closed at this point. I have every sympathy for the injured riders and I think a 'period of respect' to them was rightly observed. But the rest of the park is safe, it's been gone over with a fine toothed comb and it's time to start proving to the uneducated public that theme park rides are not million pound deathtraps. 

[Coaster]

I'm going to take this with a pinch (no, a ladle (no, a jug)) of salt because someone on Instagram is claiming that the Smiler will be open next Friday along with Saw. I think that it's a bunch of male Cow poop especially as this person claimed in the comments that Merlin were losing £12m a day.

But I'm just putting it out there.

If nothing else, the fact that two trains are damaged and are being taken off site makes this unlikely.

I also seriously doubt it would re-open so soon after such a serious incident.

[Ricky]

I think it would be of great surprise to many if The Smiler returns at any point in the 2015 Calander.

[Han30]

People asking for extensions on their passes are being ridiculous - as Mer says - there are plenty of other attractions for them to visit - people will do anything for a freebie.  Makes me mad and I shouldn't look but going on AT, TP and CWOA facebook pages enrages me - some of the comments from people are just stupid and many insensitive.  I don't know how Alton Towers have kept their cool with people asking the same questions over and over again, but as proved many times this week they have remained utterly profesional.

 

I was at Thorpe Park on Thursday and although expected that Saw would be down, as it is one of my favourite rides there I was a bit disappointed - but not to the point of whining about it on social media sites - they have shut it for a reason and I would like to think that a lot of people would accept that and understand why they have done it.  No - you have people actually asking for money towards petrol costs "I drove 200 miles and Saw was closed" - well duh - rides are subject to availability.

 

I nearly lost my marbles whilst queuing for Samurai when a pair of plebs behind us starting saying "yeah Saw is closed because 2 people were killed on it the other day" - I literally smacked my hand on my forehead.  I will admit I'm not the smartest of people but how some people get through their day is beyond me.

 

Following that interview with Nick Varney conducted by the lovely Kay Burley I have the utmost respect for him.  Not just because of how she put words into his mouth and barely let him speak but because he remained calm and composed- even the first interview that he gave following the incident at Alton Towers you could see that he was clearly affected by what had happened and actually does care.  Prior to this I just assumed he was a money grabbing big wig only interested in profit.

 

I really should stop looking at things which I know are going to wind me up - but has anyone seen Kay Burleys Twitter account? - The woman just doesn't give a flying fig about how that interview went - and doesn't give 2 hoots about what people think of her in relation to it.  

 

Waffle over.....

[Mer]

Are MAP holders really asking for extensions? Oh my some people need a lesson in perspective there me thinks.

Some of them are, yes! Some are trying to make excuses by saying that Alton is their nearest park, they don't want to travel miles to another attraction, and the main reason they bought the pass is because of Alton. Right, well if you only wanted it for Alton then you could have saved money and just got an Alton annual pass. But having said that, at least they have the option to go any of the numerous other attractions!

EDIT: This is actually hilarious - Thirty accidents at Alton Towers in three years

Some of them are pathetic. The one about the staff member falling in a trough and not knowing how literally made my day

[planenut]

All that has already been attended to is to show that Merlin are dealing with it, a lot of the changes will not be necessary when the reason for the incident is disclosed.

 

Merlin are not losing money, they are not making it. They are (imo) reacting in a very sensible way, but I think they are close to starting everything up again.

 

Luckily the moronic press and those commenting about closure and restriction don't have control over the motorways or they would close them too.

[Mark9]

Some of them are, yes! Some are trying to make excuses by saying that Alton is their nearest park, they don't want to travel miles to another attraction, and the main reason they bought the pass is because of Alton. Right, well if you only wanted it for Alton then you could have saved money and just got an Alton annual pass. But having said that, at least they have the option to go any of the numerous other attractions!

EDIT: This is actually hilarious - Thirty accidents at Alton Towers in three years

Some of them are pathetic. The one about the staff member falling in a trough and not knowing how literally made my day

 

See, this is what the media do. Grab you with the headline, you think woah, Towers is so dangerous and then might not even read the rest. We'll ignore the facts or any of the article like "guests released safely after correct procedures followed" and just run with the sensationalism.

 

The MAP holders who refer to themselves as 'loyal' and then demand extensions to their AP's, well the true loyalty is being shown by us on TPM, on Towers Street, on Towers Times, on any theme park forum. We've given Merlin hard times over the years but their commitment to safety and compassion to the families has been nothing but admirable and exemplary. 

[Deleted Users]

A huge company such a Merlin has the knowledge to have decided whether Varney being interviewed by Sky was the correct decision. They were not forced to do it and this white knighting and name calling is not needed.

[Ian-S]

Some of them are, yes! Some are trying to make excuses by saying that Alton is their nearest park, they don't want to travel miles to another attraction, and the main reason they bought the pass is because of Alton. Right, well if you only wanted it for Alton then you could have saved money and just got an Alton annual pass. But having said that, at least they have the option to go any of the numerous other attractions!

EDIT: This is actually hilarious - Thirty accidents at Alton Towers in three years

Some of them are pathetic. The one about the staff member falling in a trough and not knowing how literally made my day

Some people are too self entitled. My neighbour is that type of person, if they were a MAP holder, they would be demanding compensation.

I'm sure if someone did the maths and factored in the attendance figures with those accident stats, the percentage rate would be tiny, probably less than 0.5%, of course that wouldn't make good headlines - my local swimming pool has had just as many accidents and they have far less visitors.

A huge company such a Merlin has the knowledge to have decided whether Varney being interviewed by Sky was the correct decision. They were not forced to do it and this white knighting and name calling is not needed.

You would have thought so wouldn't you? But, and I really hate to use this example, but assumptions like that may well have led to the accident in the first place. In as much as you'd expect them to know (they do now if nothing else), I've often found over the years that 'those that should know' often don't.

[JoshC.]

The park's Twitter has stated that the park will once again be closed tomorrow.

[Celia Mae]

This is getting to the point where even I'm starting to wonder if there's a wider problem... Imagine what it must be like for the GP

[cmangi]

https://queue-times.com/park/thorpe-park

Judging by Thorpes queue times, I would say it's having much less of an effect on the general public than I expected!

I doubt it's a wider problem, the amount of work to safely remove and assess the incident is huge. And even if they cordon off the area, there are still access concerns for cranes and specialist equipment.

I really can't stop thinking about this and have been wondering why so few trains have any kind of shock absorbers or bumpers on the front. I know it's a near impossibility that this should happen, but I do risk management, and part of that is saying "if the impossible were to happen, how can we reduce the impact it will have?". I wonder if it re-opens, we will see some kind of bumper on the fron and rear of cars. This is purely speculation, but it would be a simple upgrade in theory.