Yahoo News Alton Towers issues statement after Wicker Man evacuated
Alton Towers has confirmed that no fire occurred on one of its most popular rollercoasters - after the ride was evacuated. Thrill-seekers had to leave The Wicker Man queue after the smoke alarm sounded this afternoon (September 24).
But the theme park says nothing was alight and footage from the scene shows special effects. It added that the alarm went off in a shop next to the ride and a system reset was carried out.
An Alton Towers spokesman said: "As part of standard processes (and like any fire alarm process worldwide) nearby locations within the vicinity were temporarily emptied as a precautionary measure whilst the cause of the alarm investigated. This included the queue line, which had a queue time of less than five minutes.
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"The smoke/fog in the video on social media are of the me-fog effect used on the ride to create the illusion of smoke. It is standard theming and in no way related to the smoke alarm in the retail unit. The shop, ride and all areas are all re-open as normal."
The incident comes after a fire on the ride back in July.
Wicker Man, which travels up to the speed of 44 mph, is the UK’s first new wooden coaster built in more than two decades. On the official website, facts about the ride states: "Wicker Man was constructed on the site of a previous attraction called 'The Flume'. The ride features a soundtrack created by the same company responsible for the catchy theme tune of The Smiler.
"A secret language of runes was specifically created for Wicker Man. See if you can decode the Beornen's messages as you make your way through the queue."
