Man rescued from Alton Towers' Oblivion ride

JLS were spotted enjoying the famous ride last year. Photo: Rex

The Oblivion ride at Alton Towers came to a standstill after a man wandered into a prohibited area and had to be rescued.

The ride had to be stopped after a young man managed to get into its tunnel at around 14.20 yesterday, according to a spokesperson for the Staffordshire-based theme park.

The man was rescued by three fire crews while the ride was out of action, and he was then taken to the University Hospital North Staffordshire as a precaution.

A spokesperson told the BBC: "As with all our rides the area surrounding the Oblivion track is securely fenced off and ride operators reacted immediately in line with our well rehearsed safety procedures.

"A full investigation will now be carried out."

It's certainly not the first time incidents have occurred at UK theme parks.

In March this year, a man who was left badly injured after a UK theme park ride accident was seeking a £250,000 damages payout.

Mark Simpson, 51, from Leicester, was enjoying a day out with 16 members of his family at Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire, when he was "catapulted" out of a water chute.

He suffered a broken left ankle, and an injured knee, shoulder and wrist, as well as developing a clot on the lungs, and now says is injuries have left it harder for him to get a job.

And, back in August 2011, a boy with special needs fell out a "white knuckle" ride at the Camelot Theme Park in Chorley, Lancashire.

He was airlifted to the Wigan Royal Infirmary after plunging from the Excalibur 2 - one of the park's most popular rides - but his injuries were not life-threatening.


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