Alton Towers- Potentially Fatal Fault

arthurx1234

My 18 year old son returned from a great day at ALTON TOWERS. I was looking thru the photos that he bought that were taken by th ALTON TOWERS "machinery" as you wizz around on Nemesis etc and i noticed that on the nemesis ride his seat belt was not fastened his friend next to him had his securely fastened.
I ASKEd my son if the staff had checked the seat belt and he said yes the seat belt was secure before the ride and one of the staff had tugged at it to check prior to the ride. So i can only assume it came undone during the ride.

I am of course going to contact alton towers, my son would be quite happy with a free ticket as compesation for this "technical fault" i am far from happy about this and may contact the HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE---as this fault could have caused a fatal accident

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am i over reacting

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opinions/views/advice gratefully anticipated
cheers
arthur

rachaelc_2

You are well within your rights to feel like this, i would feel exactly the same, i would also enclose a copy of the photograph to show that you have evidence that it came undone.

I think you are right to contact the H&S Folks, if its to cover your conscience as much as their safety.

Good Luck with this one!!

waterbaby

Wouldn't it seem a bit strange though, if you are saying that the safety is bad, to accept a free ticket? Presumably you would prefer a refund?

hjb123

Did the seatbelt come undone during the ride then - was has your son said about this and how it happened? Also surely he should have said something at the time?

barnabee

I would certainly contact the HSE if there has been any breach of safety rules. Alton Towers has an excellent safety record and they themselves will take any reports very seriously.

The Oakwood Theme park tragedy in Wales is still a raw subject in Wales.

The HSE contact details are here

I would shy away from any mention of the word 'compensation' - your son has returned home safe and well. Your reporting of this may well save the next father eternal grief.

arthurx1234

ANYONE HAVE THIER E MAIL ADDRESS?
AS ITS ABSENT FROM THE WEBSITE

Arthur

hjb123

Hi,

Did a google and came up with info@alton-towers.com though this may only be info - but its worth a try!

From the following site:
http://www.towersdiscovered.co.uk/Contact.htm

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Alton Towers
Alton
Staffordshire
ST10 4DB

zappomatic

The seatbelt on such rides is just a backup and to reassure nervous people - many rides with similar "over the shoulder" restraints don't even have seat belts. It's easy to undo those seat belts as you only have to flip a flap up, it can even be done accidentally. This is nothing to worry about though I can see why it could cause concern to those who aren't in the know.

Astaroth

I would get more info from your son first... seems odd he didnt "notice" it was undone until you showed him in the photo... esp as he will have had to have gone to undo it as he got out... if he can remember it being checked it seems odd he cant remember it not being done up when he got off.

As zappomatic says... the seatbelts are a secondary system and can be undone by the rider... are you sure your son didnt want a little more thrill on the ride?

arthurx1234

Astaroth wrote:

I would get more info from your son first... seems odd he didnt "notice" it was undone until you showed him in the photo... esp as he will have had to have gone to undo it as he got out... if he can remember it being checked it seems odd he cant remember it not being done up when he got off.

As zappomatic says... the seatbelts are a secondary system and can be undone by the rider... are you sure your son didnt want a little more thrill on the ride?

the belt was done up prior to the ride starting.From my experience of these rides they are over in liss than 60 secs and i cant remember looking down to see if my seat belt was fastened i was concentrating on hanging on and trying not to scream like a little girl
arthur

deanos

Agree with messages above the seat belt is more for show if it was a major part of the safety features it would have a sensor and not be able to leave the station and certainally not be so easy to undo, many people undo it at the end of the ride before it enters the station for a quick getaway when the ride is over.