September 22, 20168 yr comment_241672 http://m.nottinghampost.com/new-video-emerges-of-alton-towers-smiler-crash/story-29738568-detail/story.html This new video has emerged showing the buildup to the shocking accident that occurred on The Smiler. The video doesn't directly show the crash, however you can hear the horrifying sound it made as the train with the passengers in hit the empty stalled train.
September 22, 20168 yr comment_241683 Holy s**t Watching that has really disturbed me...that noise And the ride music going "Ha ha ha" straight afterwards just sounds so twisted. I can't help but wonder why the clip has only emerged now. I guess out of respect the person didn't send it in to any media? It's just unfortunate that it's appeared now, a week before the hearing.
September 22, 20168 yr comment_241684 It seems to have been used in court and so has since been released to the media. People should see it to see what a ridiculous situation and huge failures of basic procedures happened. Not an easy watch
September 22, 20168 yr comment_241685 Though the way it happened was already known, it's really difficult seeing it there. It was so easily avoidable.
September 22, 20168 yr comment_241695 Wow, that's really brought it home - feel genuinely sick watching that, but like said above - although we all know why it happened, seeing it like that just makes it more shocking and shows the massive failings.
September 23, 20168 yr comment_241710 Shows how simple communication is the most important aspect when operating anything mechanical and involves humans... The inevitability of the crash is the worst thing...
September 23, 20168 yr comment_241719 Safe to say watching that was rather disturbing, especially hearing the bang when you know the crash occurred. This accident could have been avoided if the right methods were implemented.
September 23, 20168 yr Author comment_241728 43 minutes ago, Matt Creek said: Safe to say watching that was rather disturbing, especially hearing the bang when you know the crash occurred. This accident could have been avoided if the right methods were implemented. Don't you mean the crash would have been avoided had the existing procedures been followed properly?
September 23, 20168 yr comment_241729 Just now, Ian-S said: Don't you mean the crash would have been avoided had the existing procedures been followed properly? Yes I Do
September 23, 20168 yr comment_241737 Extremely uncomfortable to watch/hear.. Also hearing them screaming and enjoying the ride once it's left the lift is quite upsetting when we know it's about to happen..
September 23, 20168 yr comment_241755 22 hours ago, Mer said: Holy s**t Watching that has really disturbed me...that noise And the ride music going "Ha ha ha" straight afterwards just sounds so twisted. I can't help but wonder why the clip has only emerged now. I guess out of respect the person didn't send it in to any media? It's just unfortunate that it's appeared now, a week before the hearing. Yes, the ride music after the smash was odd. The sound of that crash though - just awful. Was horrible to watch, knowing that those poor buggers were about to crash into the stalled train then hearing it. Cannot even imagine what they must have thought as they headed towards to stalled train and realising what was about to happen. Also, as we know, the front 4 passengers were the most seriously injured but I often wonder if it has affected anyone that actually witnessed it - might sound like an odd thing to say but I don't think I would cope well if I saw that - especially being unable to help the poor sods. I know one thing though - I wouldn't have hung around to take photos after the smash - I just think that is so wrong
September 23, 20168 yr comment_241757 3 minutes ago, Han30 said: I often wonder if it has affected anyone that actually witnessed it - might sound like an odd thing to say but I don't think I would cope well if I saw that - especially being unable to help the poor sods. I know one thing though - I wouldn't have hung around to take photos after the smash - I just think that is so wrong Not an odd thing at all, you're right, it probably has. Almost like witnessing a car crash
September 24, 20168 yr Author comment_241817 PTSD you mean? I'm not keen on taking photos either but sometimes it can be helpful to investigators, especially if the actual event is captured, but sure it's just disrespectful to carry on taking photos/videos once the seriousness of a situation becomes clear.
September 24, 20168 yr comment_241822 I think something like what happened on the Smiler could potentially cause PTSD in some people. Yes I do agree about images and videos being helpful to investigations - but to take pictures once the event has happened and when the people on the ride were in distress is plain wrong in my eyes - I couldn't stand there filming etc when there are people screaming out in pain
September 25, 20168 yr comment_241823 I think something like what happened on the Smiler could potentially cause PTSD in some people. Yes I do agree about images and videos being helpful to investigations - but to take pictures once the event has happened and when the people on the ride were in distress is plain wrong in my eyes - I couldn't stand there filming etc when there are people screaming out in painThe end of the world will be broadcast down a camera phone
September 25, 20168 yr comment_241825 Probably in vertical video as well, just as one last wind up...
September 26, 20168 yr comment_241902 So we now have more details into what happened on that day, this is what we have so far: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-37471624 There is also a link there to live updates which go into more detail. What I find quite concerning is how none of the engineers who attended had any understanding of the operation of the ride or "full understanding of what was going on." Having just done the Stealth BST yesterday and speaking to two engineers, I know that Thorpe have two engineers for a ride (can't remember if they used to the word assigned or not) and in a shutdown, one will receive the radio call and if they can't attend, the other will be called (although of course some shutdowns require more than one). I don't know how Towers works with theirs, but either it doesn't sound like they have the same system, or they do but for whatever reason those engineers weren't available. However I'm aware that we've only heard from the prosecution side so far, so I'm not wanting to make any assumptions yet, merely speculating. It's also interesting about the wind speed and it not being worded as "constant" in the manufacturers manual.
September 26, 20168 yr comment_241903 19 minutes ago, Archive said: Not being rude but is it any of your business? I'd kind of argue it is if they wish to make public interviews.. that said I don't think she said anything too different to what's been said in court.
September 26, 20168 yr Author comment_241904 Has their been any reference to the claims made that a staff member told a member of the public to mind their own business when said minion pointed out the stalled car to them? I do wonder if these reporters are misunderstanding some things, since they called the 'Skyride' a rollercoaster earlier. Engineer/ride operator, do they know the difference?
September 26, 20168 yr comment_241905 What sort of fine do we estimate Merlin getting? £5,000,000 sounds possible to me... The BBC have done very well explaining pretty simply but concisely what happened and I commend them for that. •The £18m Smiler was the world's first 14 multi-loop rollercoaster with up to five trains running at any one time •On 2 June four trains were operating on the ride; a fifth was stored away •At 13:00 BST there was a problem with one of the trains; technical staff were called •One of the engineers thought it was a good opportunity to add the fifth train because the park was busy •An empty test train was sent but failed •Engineers pushed the train until it engaged with the system and off it went •Another empty train was sent out. It got stuck, too, but in a different place •Engineers were unaware of this, thought everything was working fine and handed it back to operators •The train with 16 passengers on was sent out and stopped •The engineers looked but could not see the stalled car, thought the computer was wrong, and over-rode the stop. This set the 16-passenger train in motion and into the empty carriage
September 26, 20168 yr comment_241907 13 minutes ago, Ian-S said: Has their been any reference to the claims made that a staff member told a member of the public to mind their own business when said minion pointed out the stalled car to them? I do wonder if these reporters are misunderstanding some things, since they called the 'Skyride' a rollercoaster earlier. Engineer/ride operator, do they know the difference? As they're basically quoting what's being said in court, I think they are being correct. Plus it mentions four engineers at one point, and there wouldn't be four operators. It was also on the ITV news just now and they said pretty much the same as the BBC. They haven't referenced that claim yet, and I've not heard any more on that since it first appeared. I find it hard to believe that the staff would've said that to them, and they may well have thought the guest was referring to the train on the lift hill. I wonder if the guest misheard or misinterpreted what they said, or simply forgot word for word what it was. For example they might've actually said "Don't worry"/"It's nothing to worry about".
September 26, 20168 yr comment_241908 I really can't see what Merlin are going to say in their defence on this - one would assume it'll be wrapped up today without going into tomorrow.
September 26, 20168 yr comment_241910 Basic procedures missing out is a scary factor, I remember back at Chessie needing to know pretty much everything about anything (though it tended to be call a TL and let them do it) in terms of dealing with situations... Fine them their turnover for the lols please...
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