Drayton-Manor-Theme-Park-To-Reopen

[trt]

The ride that the girl was killed on, is not going to open yet, but does anybody know if it had seat-belts?

http://www.itv.com/news/2017-05-12/drayton-manor-theme-park-to-reopen-following-death-of-schoolgirl-11/

[Buenchico]

Looking at some of the pictures which are automatically taken on the ride (and Drayton Manor tries to sell to visitors), the answer appears to be 'No':
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/05/10/12/4022AC2300000578-4488658-The_incident_happened_on_the_Splash_Canyon_river_rapid_ride_pict-a-47_1494414761994.jpg

https://psi-eu-p-img-adj.s3.amazonaws.com/DMSC417C0306_medium_525x350.jpg

[Teacup99]

From what I read they don't have seat belts in case the vessel capsizes. Makes sense.

[trt]

Thanks for that Chris.
No wonder she fell out, bet they put them in before it reopens.

[Buenchico]

As Teacup99 suggests, the risks of having seat belts might exceed those of not having them.

All of the available evidence seems to suggest that, like many fairground rides, Splash Canyon is perfectly safe as long as riders obey the instruction to remain seated.

[Zacs-Master]

Thrill = risk.

[trt]

## From what I read they don't have seat belts in case the vessel capsizes. Makes sense. ##

Good point Teacup.
Did the girl die from drowning, or other injuries?

[Mamyalynne]

Head injuries given as the cause at this time - that may change.

[Teacup99]

Not at all sure. No details seem to have been released as to the depth of the fall or how long she was in the water.

[mikey4444]

What happened to the little girl was tragic but if these rides weren't a bit risky and slightly dangerous, would people want to go on them in the first place.

That ride in Alton Towers that resulted in loss of limbs looked like an accident waiting to happen to me. And yet, as soon as it was open again, huge queues formed to go on it !

[naomi24]

Terrible tragedy, but I read that the little girl stood up to swap seats with someone else. I've been on that ride and as far as I recall it doesn't have seat belts. It's a bit bumpy as it rides the 'rapids' but it's certainly not in the same league as fast fairground rides. As Chris says, if the rules are followed it's safe.

[THECORBYLOON]

Could there not be some form of netting put around the craft that folk sit in? It could be high enough to make it unlikely folk would fall or be bounced out but open at the top to allow easy access if needed.

[naomi24]

This is what it is.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/onUC2YXBO9Q/maxresdefault.jpg

[THECORBYLOON]

Trampolines in gardens often have netting around them. Could something similar but more sturdy not be used on these craft?

[ivor4781]

your told not to stand up in that ride,she stood up,

[mikey4444]

Its too early to tell why this accident happened, but if the cause does turn out to be standing up in the boat, then an adult supervising the poor child may be at fault.

[mushroom25]

anecdotal evidence from someone who lives near here was that the IP was acting out the "prow" scene from Titanic when she was pitched into the water by a sudden lurch. the injuries were caused because she was apparently dragged under the boat.

kiddies standing up on this ride has been an issue virtually from its opening 20 years ago. the "safety press" (such as SHP online) take the view that on the basis of history, it was reasonably forseeable that children will stand, and their risk assessment should take this into account. restraints are an even bigger risk because of the risk of entrapment in a capsize event; we'll need to await the court case (and there will be one, probably involving a punitive fine) to see what the park owners do next.

[THECORBYLOON]

If belts are not used because there is a risk in the event of a a capsize, how great is the risk of a capsize compared to that of someone standing and being thrown out?

It's fine saying if the rules are followed there are no accidents but there are often additional safeguards applied to procedures to mitigate the risk when those rules are not adhered to.

[mushroom25]

//If belts are not used because there is a risk in the event of a a capsize, how great is the risk of a capsize compared to that of someone standing and being thrown out? //

TCL, the difference is that in a capsize event, the duty of care is to riders who have no control; in the case of ejections due to rule infringements, the duty of care protects riders from their own actions.

[THECORBYLOON]

If, for example, in a particular process, one scenario happens 1 in 10,000 events and another 1 in 1,000, the latter involves ten times the risk even if it is user error. If both can result in injury or death, which one should take priority with regard to taking action in order to reduce its impact?

[mikey4444]

We don't know the exact cause of this accident, but it has all the hallmarks of not following the few simple rules.