Visitors left frustrated after Alton Towers’ latest attraction, Toxicator, shuts down shortly after opening due to a pipe leak.
Alton Towers, the popular theme park located in Staffordshire, faced unexpected operational difficulties on Saturday when its newly launched attraction, Toxicator, was forced to close shortly after its opening due to a burst pipe that caused a leak of brown liquid. This incident sparked frustration among visitors, many of whom had been eagerly anticipating the ride’s debut.
According to reports, a “brown liquid” was observed leaking near the entrance of Toxicator. However, representatives from Alton Towers reassured the public that the fluid was not sewage but rather water from a burst pipe in the vicinity of the ride. A spokesperson from the park clarified that the incident was “unrelated to the new ride” and confirmed that operations were suspended for approximately two hours while the issue was addressed. They added, “Due to an unexpected burst pipe near the ride, Toxicator briefly paused operation whilst our teams swiftly dealt with the issue. The ride and surrounding area are now fully re-open and welcoming guests.”
Among those affected was Ben Keable from Cheslyn Hay, Staffordshire, who was visiting the park with his son. They had reportedly waited for about 70 minutes in line when they first noticed the leak. Keable recounted, “We were standing under the ride waiting when a steady trickle of water started flowing by our feet. We thought it was water from the ride above as water was dripping from the fountains on the ride.” He expressed disappointment after learning they could not return to the ride, despite their long wait, describing the day as a “nightmare” for his son, who was visibly upset.
Another visitor, Matthew Lancaster, 27, from Southport, Merseyside, shared his experience during the incident. He described himself as an “avid theme park goer” and remarked, “It was very unfortunate what happened. That definitely wasn’t on the bucket list.” Mr Keable also noted that multiple rides were closed throughout the day, resulting in their party managing only five rides over a span of ten hours due to lengthy queues.
In a subsequent inquiry regarding the operational status of Toxicator on Sunday, Alton Towers confirmed that the ride was open and fully operational with a queue time of approximately 50 minutes.
Toxicator, previously referred to as Project Ocean, stands at an impressive 78 feet tall and is noted as the only top spin ride globally to be elevated above ground level, adding to its lure as a significant attraction at the theme park.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://riderater.co.uk/12432/alton-towers-sewage-leak-forces-area-evacuation/ – This article reports on a sewage leak at Alton Towers, which affected the Forbidden Valley area and the Toxicator ride. However, it seems to conflict with the claim that the leak was not sewage but rather water from a burst pipe.
- https://www.tiktok.com/@coasterchelsey/video/7482079672159800598 – This TikTok video shows the closure of Toxicator due to a burst sewage pipe, which aligns with some reports of a leak but contradicts Alton Towers’ statement about the nature of the fluid.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This is the source of the original article, providing details about the incident at Alton Towers involving the Toxicator ride.
- https://www.alton-towers.com – Alton Towers’ official website would likely provide updates on ride closures and operational status, though specific details about the incident might not be available.
- https://www.themeparkinsider.com – Theme Park Insider often reports on theme park news and incidents, which might include updates on Alton Towers and its attractions.
- https://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk – Staffordshire Live might cover local news, including incidents at Alton Towers, providing additional context or visitor experiences.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative appears to be recent, focusing on a specific incident at Alton Towers involving the Toxicator ride. There is no indication of outdated information or recycled news.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Direct quotes from visitors are included, but no earlier references to these specific quotes were found online. This suggests they might be original to this report.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from MyLondon, a local news outlet. While not as globally recognized as major news agencies like the BBC or Reuters, it is still a reputable local source.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The incident described is plausible and aligns with common operational issues at theme parks. The details provided, such as the cause of the leak and the response from Alton Towers, are consistent with how such incidents are typically handled.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be recent and based on plausible events. The quotes seem original, and the source, while local, is generally reliable. Overall, the information presented is likely accurate.
