Theme parks and attractions from another point of view!
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https://www.attractionsource.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40277
That sounds like Merlin's Senior Management pointing the finger at AT's Ride and Technical Staff, where those staff under pressure from management to re-open the ride as quickly as possible after the fault causing a lapse in judgement/error? It has been known to happen.Morgano wrote:Staff training and technical upgrades were mentioned and Merlin's reaction to close rides and talk about procedural changes and training suggest human error was almost certainly the contributing factor.
There has been an incident on The Smiler previously, but nothing on the scale of what happened on Tuesday.Legoluce wrote:Could someone tell me please, was there an accident on The Smiler before where people were hospitalised? People I'm with today have asked me about Tuesday, and when I tried to defend the park they said Watchdog said there were 2 other serious incidents where people were injured/hospitalised.
I didn't think this was case, but I don't trust google to give me the right answer given the media attitude at the moment!
What if the exit proximity sensor for that particular block is loose in such a way that it is constantly being triggered by a peice of track/bracket making the central computer think the train has left the block. Not so extraordinary if you think about it. Things have come loose on this ride many times and that's only the documented stuff - not the bolts that are tightened on inspection daily and brushed under the carpet before the press find out.xxbennxx wrote:Block systems are designed in such a way that in theory, it is impossible to allow 2 trains into the same block at the same time. Therefore eliminating the possibility of such a crash.
There will be no scenario that the system allows this to happen, it is designed in such a way that in any faulty circumstance, the ride is locked down.
As this system has worked so well, for so long, all over the world. Cars are not designed with high speed collision in mind, as there is no scenario in which 2 cars should be allowed to enter the same section of track.
The only way around these safety systems is manually. As anything else, including a catastrophic systems failure, would simply result in a complete lockdown, which would halt the full cart on the first lift. Which did indeed happen for at least 10 minutes.
After that time, in which the system was clearly working perfectly. Something extraodinary has occured. Somehow the safety system which was working perfectly has been circumvented and the train allowed to traverse the lift hill and enter an occupied block.
Every scenario in my mind brings this down to some form of human error. Although i must stress that it is pure speculation, and should be taken as such. But my two cents on this terrible incident is simply human error.
I would like to extend my thoughts to the people who have suffered ad a result of this once again. I have ridden the smiler several times and have enjoyed it immensely. Unfortunately the people on tuesday do not share our experience of the ride. I wish all a speedy recovery, both physically and mentally, legs may heal but mental scars take much more work and patience to come to terms with.
I would have a guess they'll open on Monday, reports have said that the park will reopen over the next few days.Dan.N wrote:I'm slightly surprised that they're staying closed for a 5th day.
Saying that, maybe they're making sure that everything is watertight and ready to go for a re-opening on Monday.
I don't think speculation gets us anywhere and is probably not helpful. However, the new training and upgrades doesn't necessarily mean human error in regards to this incident. A technical fault may have been discovered that wasn't previously considered. This new info would mean new procedures and training would be implemented.Rita 2005 wrote:That sounds like Merlin's Senior Management pointing the finger at AT's Ride and Technical Staff, where those staff under pressure from management to re-open the ride as quickly as possible after the fault causing a lapse in judgement/error? It has been known to happen.Morgano wrote:Staff training and technical upgrades were mentioned and Merlin's reaction to close rides and talk about procedural changes and training suggest human error was almost certainly the contributing factor.
Remember, this is Merlin we're talking about, retheming is rare with them.stealthsmiler wrote:I would hate to see this happen, but could Alton try to retheme the Smiler as part of a new addition for 2016. They have a plot free now after Submission has left and I know they tend to leave them free for a few years but given the circumstances...
ATR could get a new ride to replace Submission - even move Enterprise to give more room. (Dont know if it would fit, but I would love a smallish coaster like a Zac Spin or Impluse Coaster). They could then retheme the whole of X Sector, including Oblivion for the opening of the new ride. Then the Smiler would obviously need to be re-themed too. Dont know if the public would buy it but it would give ATR something to advertise to help people move on from the accident.
Although I would hate to see X Sector go...
#Baggie79 wrote:http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/mi ... ee-9397443
Probably Worst yet, how is it Altons fault if you headbut your friend?
I've just had a look at that 30 accidents at Alton Towers, most of them were just accidents - how can towers be accountable for someone jumping in Sub Terra or in a Scare Maze (which are designed to be scary/startling)? My brother would probably also fall into those statistics as he ended up in hospital after a visit to towers - but that was down to illness, not due to being at the park....cubwolf wrote:#Baggie79 wrote:http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/mi ... ee-9397443
Probably Worst yet, how is it Altons fault if you headbut your friend?
They seem to have a tie up with Drayton Manor as they sent a tweet promoting them earlier.
I did reply asking if they had looked at DMP accident book.
No reply as yet
this is most likely not the issue, there is more than 1 sensor on the blocks usually 2 or 3 if just 1 of them triggered the ride will E-STOP, for the block to reset the ride system will need to detect entry and exit of the block 1 faulty sensor would not cause this issue.wakey1512 wrote:What if the exit proximity sensor for that particular block is loose in such a way that it is constantly being triggered by a peice of track/bracket making the central computer think the train has left the block. Not so extraordinary if you think about it. Things have come loose on this ride many times and that's only the documented stuff - not the bolts that are tightened on inspection daily and brushed under the carpet before the press find out.xxbennxx wrote:Block systems are designed in such a way that in theory, it is impossible to allow 2 trains into the same block at the same time. Therefore eliminating the possibility of such a crash.
There will be no scenario that the system allows this to happen, it is designed in such a way that in any faulty circumstance, the ride is locked down.
As this system has worked so well, for so long, all over the world. Cars are not designed with high speed collision in mind, as there is no scenario in which 2 cars should be allowed to enter the same section of track.
The only way around these safety systems is manually. As anything else, including a catastrophic systems failure, would simply result in a complete lockdown, which would halt the full cart on the first lift. Which did indeed happen for at least 10 minutes.
After that time, in which the system was clearly working perfectly. Something extraodinary has occured. Somehow the safety system which was working perfectly has been circumvented and the train allowed to traverse the lift hill and enter an occupied block.
Every scenario in my mind brings this down to some form of human error. Although i must stress that it is pure speculation, and should be taken as such. But my two cents on this terrible incident is simply human error.
I would like to extend my thoughts to the people who have suffered ad a result of this once again. I have ridden the smiler several times and have enjoyed it immensely. Unfortunately the people on tuesday do not share our experience of the ride. I wish all a speedy recovery, both physically and mentally, legs may heal but mental scars take much more work and patience to come to terms with.