rollercoaster crash at alton towers

[SoljaBonita]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32980354?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_breaking&ns_source=twitter&ns_linkname=icf

All her team probably just think she's a twat, there's a difference.

She lets herself and journalism down every time there is a tragic accident, she has upset and offended so many people. She's insensitive and full of her own self-importance. She needs to be dispatched into orbit.

TBH your strange obsession with how wonderful Kay Burley is is making me think that either a) you are her, or b) you're on the wind-up.

I think the owners/management have handled it really well. Not trying to deflect blame, keeping the park closed etc. They're coming across well.

The poor souls who manage their FB page deserve a medal with the questions they're being asked.

My niece was on a school trip to AT just last week. Going on Smiler was one of the highlights for her. it's scary to think that there but for the grace of God She's already said she's going back next year!!

I haven't been to AT in years but have some brilliant memories of it.

I detest Kay Burley. She is vile. Where does she get off asking the CEO about amputations that is not his information to give out.

Can't stand the woman.

Agree AT aren't handling it too badly, in comparison to some other companies' handling of recent tragedies.

Tough thing to do to face the public as the 'face' of the company that have 'caused' such an awful event. Especially with your lawyers, PR people etc all telling you conflicting info about what you can/can't and should say.

Has the other girl, Leah, been discharged, there doesn't seem to be much coverage about her other than to say she suffered horrific injuries.
I really hope she, and all of them are OK and make a full recovery.

The park is a special place for me, too. So so sorry about this terrible incident for those injured/involved.

The press seem so very eager to whip up negativity, don't they? This 'list of more than 30 incidents at Alton Towers' breathlessly reported by the Birmingham Mail includes the following:

"Entertainer injured when he tripped doing a pirate show as the sole of his boot came off (!!)
13-year-old hits head in a maze after being pushed into a wall by her friends
Girl accidentally headbutted by a member of her party
Ride operator falls in water after losing balance
An engineer injures himself falling off the back of a flat bed lorry"

I'm really shocked how long it took them to call ambulances, and if its true that the ambulanc staff then called the firebrigade when they arrived 30 minutes later, thats even worse. Surely someone at AT realised they would need the fire service as well. Surely this was very obviously a major incident??

I understand that the park paramedics were contacted first then when the scale of the injuries became apparent, the emergency services were contacted.

I have just downloaded an app where you control the smiling rollercoaster and stear it to stop it falling off the tracks. At made this game! I think they must have been aware the ride wasn't very safe

Agree with Viking - if something goes wrong it's best practice to scrutinise and learn from it. And definitely disagree with Stolen. If they had sloppy practices this sort of thing would happen more regularly. We don't know the cause yet so shouldn't speculate.

Accidents happen and I find it frustrating that everyone always wants to make it someone's fault. I'm with those who think AT are acting pretty responsibly. The guy at the top has apologised unequivocally and isn't hiding behind lawyers or PR agencies. What a contrast to Thomas Cook when the Bobby and Christi Shephard died from carbon monoxide poisoning and where nobody dared say sorry, including the rep, for fear of admitting liability.

Wouldn't the emergency services deploy all 3 if the circumstances were described? Luckily I've never been in a position to call 999.

It was unacceptable to delay calling emergency services, absolutely, and I will never understand that, no matter how many 'first aiders' were on the scene. But I don't think anyone could've known immediately that there were serious crush injuries that would require specialist fire crew evacuation. It certainly appears that once that became apparent, fire crews were called. I don't think there is much justification for criticism of how AT handled things once emergency services were involved, they seem to have done everything by the book. I am very interested to know what caused the crash, and continue to hope that the victims make a good recovery.

I don't know, I think that even if the first aiders didn't know about the extent of the leg injuries, they would AT LEAST expect significant whiplash injuries and you shouldn't take any risks with necks.

Ambulance should have been called immediately; this wreaks of them initially trying to get away without involving outside agencies. They knew that it was serious enough to notify the CEO, before calling the ambulance, so I don't buy that for a second.

Their initial response was awful and dangerous, and could have exacerbated the suffering of the victims (physical or mental).

Since that, they've been much better.

When you call 999 you usually only get to choose one service. Then when you've described the incident the operator will decide if any other services are required. Certainly was my experience of cling 999 anyway.

And re the smiler game/app. Most roller coaster games are if the same ilk. Doesn't mean got one Minute that AT thought the Smiler was dangerous abd would derail.

happy ringo, regardless of whether they knew how severe the injuries were, or did not realise how badly trapped folk were, my point about the fire service was that AT must have realised they would need specialist help getting the injured, even if walking wounded with only minor injuries, down safely from such great height! Common sense says you need the fire AND RESCUE service in a case like this. If the emergency operator did not think it sounded necessary to dispatch the FS, then maybe whoever made the call was still playing down the seriousness of the incident?

I don't think so.

Places like this have separate major incident plans, and they don't call 999 as the general public would. As only authorised people (who can prove who they are) can make such calls, 10 minutes of so sounds OK for the faster response thereafter. The sheer number of responders, and amount of specialist kit on the ground within 30-45 minutes shows how quickly major incident plans can kick in. Even if it does take a few minutes longer to call it out, rather than just leaping on to the 999 system.

AT will open from tomorrow, though not X Sector where the Smiler is located.

Tomorrow? Wasting no more time then

I've spoken to my park contact today so was unsurprised by the news it would open tomorrow. They explained the cause of the accident which im not going into here as it's not my story to tell. I expect a statement In the coming days.

What I will say is the first responders were met with a truly horrific scene to say the least, stomach churning doesn't come close. They are all extremely traumatised over the whole thing and credit to everyone who managed to do their job that day under what must have been horrific circumstances.

As far as they are aware there have been no limb loss, there wasn't at scene, though the damage to one of the victims limbs was significant at the time.

This will change the lives of many, and not just the people on the ride.

All sympathy to the first responders and all the rescuers and emergency services. It must have been harrowing in the extreme.

Shout 'park contact'? A gossiper then?

Not sure what half your post is supposed to mean but to address the other half, no, not a 'gossiper' a person very close to several involved. I have said before I have friends and family at the park. I could have gone into a lot more detail in my post but out of respect I didn't.

People above questioned if first responders knew the seriousness and severity of the situation, I have answered that question as best as I can without divulging too much information.

The 'park contact' might be someone who works in a burger van there and simply saw for themselves what went on and the obvious distress experienced by staff. It's not hugely unreasonable for them to talk and unload to a friend about the events. The friend has had the sense and respect not to reveal any real details online.