Horrible news out of the UK today; an 11-year-old girl has passed away after "falling into the water" on the Splash Canyon (Intamin) rapids ride.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3519471/drayton-manor-theme-park-girl-dead-splash-canyon/

Quote

The youngster was reportedly “dragged under by the rapids” after falling from the six-seater boat while “standing up to swap seats”.

[...]

It is thought the youngster stood up to “swap seats” but toppled over the side as the vessel crashed into waves halfway through the five-minute ride.

If true, then it is clearly rider error and in no way the park's or Intamin's fault. Though I wonder what, if anything, will be done to this ride and others like it (e.g. White Water Canyon at KI) to prevent similar occurrences. We shouldn't have to protect riders from their own stupidity, but unfortunately doing so is often necessary and often interferes with the enjoyment of the ride by those who are smart enough to not pull stupid stunts in the first place.

It's absolutely heartbreaking that a young girl lost her life. Though the circumstances here are much different, many will recall the tragedy in Australia last year when a raft flipped over on the rapids ride at Dreamworld.

The facts do indeed seem to indicate rider error, but added restraints and additional safety instructions seem certain after an incident like this. From photos and video of the ride online, it appears that Splash Canyon lacked seatbelts, which many other rapids rides (including White Water Canyon) already have.

It's very unfortunate that not everyone respects the rules necessary to stay safe around dynamic amusement rides.

It is a shame that almost every additional restraint/security measure ever added to a ride is the result of rider error/stupidity and no fault of the park or rider manufacturer.  In many instances, it results in a decrease in the ride experience.  Most will say The Beast was better when it was just buzz bars than the current restraint/seat configuration.

I have said this before, but we will probably see the time come when a coaster train is completely enclosed because of rider error where they stuck their hands out where they shouldn't have and lost a finger or hand.  Imagine that ride experience where you cannot feel the wind on your face, the rain beating you down like bb's, bugs in your face, etc.  Let's face it, a sign/spiel saying keep arms and hands inside the car at all times doesn't prevent someone from doing just that.

In all honesty, I am surprised automobiles haven't been forced to not allow the car to start unless every seat belt is fastened, but then again we know stupidity would rule and people would simply fasten seat belt and then sit on top of it!  Remember the attempt of manufactures having the seat belts attached to the door to automatically belt the driver and passenger in - too many people overrode that system, plus the unintended consequence was ejection if the door flew open in an accident.

And adding seat belts to a water ride has the unintended consequence of guests being stuck and drowning should ride flip over.

12 hours ago, disco2000 said:

It is a shame that almost every additional restraint/security measure ever added to a ride is the result of rider error/stupidity and no fault of the park or rider manufacturer.  In many instances, it results in a decrease in the ride experience.  Most will say The Beast was better when it was just buzz bars than the current restraint/seat configuration.

I have said this before, but we will probably see the time come when a coaster train is completely enclosed because of rider error where they stuck their hands out where they shouldn't have and lost a finger or hand.  Imagine that ride experience where you cannot feel the wind on your face, the rain beating you down like bb's, bugs in your face, etc.  Let's face it, a sign/spiel saying keep arms and hands inside the car at all times doesn't prevent someone from doing just that.

This reminds me of third grade, where the entire class was punished because one person wouldn't behave. Except in this case, the consequences are effectively permanent.

12 hours ago, disco2000 said:

In all honesty, I am surprised automobiles haven't been forced to not allow the car to start unless every seat belt is fastened, but then again we know stupidity would rule and people would simply fasten seat belt and then sit on top of it!  Remember the attempt of manufactures having the seat belts attached to the door to automatically belt the driver and passenger in - too many people overrode that system, plus the unintended consequence was ejection if the door flew open in an accident.

The NHTSA tried that in the 1974 model year. New cars that year were required to have an interlock system preventing the engine from being started unless the front-seat occupants were buckled up, with the seat belts fastened after the occupant sat down (so you couldn't just buckle the seat belt and sit on top of it). This system was universally hated, in part because the front passenger seat sensors were so sensitive that they would pick up a shopping bag or a purse sitting on the seat as a passenger and force you to buckle the seat belt. One year later, Congress passed a law banning the NHTSA from requiring or permitting any system that would prevent a vehicle from starting with an unbelted occupant.

12 hours ago, disco2000 said:

And adding seat belts to a water ride has the unintended consequence of guests being stuck and drowning should ride flip over.

Or any type of locking restraint, for that matter. See Shoot the Rapids.

Truly sad incident. I pray for her family as no one imagines another family member passing away on a day that should bring lots of joy and good memories.

Aren't the seat belts on WWC velcro? Not sure that kind of restraint would have prevented her from standing up if so. I may be remembering incorrectly though. Not sure how you can change the restraints to prevent something like this from happening. 

The seat belts were not Velcro on any raft I was on last season, all were buckles.  

White Water Canyon has used elastic belts with buckles for several seasons. They restrain riders in their seats, such that that they can't stand up.

The ride used to use hook-and-loop belts for the same purpose, before the current belts were installed.