rickfarang Posted October 24, 2007 Report Share Posted October 24, 2007 SIAM PARK TRAGEDY Log boat ride accident kills one person, injures five A day of fun at a Bangkok amusement park turned to tragedy yesterday when a power cut caused a fun-ride accident that killed one person and injured five others, four of them children. Pachadaporn Konggrarian, 34, received a severe head injury and complained of abdominal pain. She died five hours later in hospital. The accident happened on the Indiana Log ride about noon at Siam Park. The six people were riding in two boats gliding down a slope, about 20m high, when the amusement park's electricity system malfunctioned. As the water pumps failed, the boats were stuck on the slope for a few minutes. The pumps started up again but could not pump water quickly enough to cushion the impact of the fall as the boats came crashing down. All six riders were taken to hospital, park PR manager Pornsri Chantarakamma, said "My family rode the second boat. When our boat was about to glide down the slope, the first boat was about 10 metres away," said Sampan Wong-anu, 33, whose wife Pachadaporn died in hospital. "The front of our boat slammed into the rear of the first boat, causing our boat to derail. My wife fell overboard and hit her head on the boat," said Mr Sampan, who received minor injuries. His 10-year-old daughter, Supattra, passed out during the accident. She remained in Nopparat Ratchathani hospital's intensive care unit last night. Arisa Bua-roi, 13, said she saw the water level drop and the boat hit the ground very fast. She injured her cheekbones and lips in the fall and suffered a bad headache. The other injured riders, both 10 years old, were Woranat Nakhamyak who hurt her legs and Nattikamol Monjaturat who had bruises on her arms. The ride is for people taller than 120cm. They ride without a safety belt on a four-seat log boat zigzagging through a jungle. The boat is fixed on a rail in a water-filled pipe. It goes up and glides down a hill, splashing water on the riders. Park assistant director Noppakan Luang-amornlert apologised for the accident, which she blamed on a brownout and staff recklessness. But she insisted no-one fell out of the boat yesterday. "The brownout caused the water pumps to stop working. Water gradually receded. The staff were reckless. They failed to notice [the abnormal water level] and suspend the ride," she said. Although the park used an automatic control system, the staff were supposed to check the water level before allowing riders to get on the boat, she said. The ride would be closed for a thorough inspection, she added. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faustian Posted October 24, 2007 Report Share Posted October 24, 2007 And compensation to the family? Staff sacked? Inquiry launched? Nah, bet nothing is done. What a tragedy for that family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted October 24, 2007 Report Share Posted October 24, 2007 The park immediately assumed responsibility. They will paid compensation - and then go on running the ride as usual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shygye Posted October 24, 2007 Report Share Posted October 24, 2007 Seems like a bad design. Why would the water level drop when the pumps are off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khunsanuk Posted October 25, 2007 Report Share Posted October 25, 2007 Hi, I've been to this park and even a few years ago most of the rides where very old and looked extremely poorly maintained (think rust all over the place). While I regret this tragedy it does not surprise me in the least. Also nice to see that the owners immediately put blame on the staff rather than equipment/maintenance. Sanuk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hippie Posted October 25, 2007 Report Share Posted October 25, 2007 No ideas about this place, but if you ever saw carnival rides here, it is damned scary. Every year here, people die in amusement parks as a result of negligence, poor maintenance etc, not sure it is fair to blame it on poor Thai engineering, as it happens everywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted October 25, 2007 Report Share Posted October 25, 2007 Latest news is that the owners refuse to provide the authorities with safety check reports and other information on the ride. If they continue to refuse, the park will be shut down until they do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khunsanuk Posted October 25, 2007 Report Share Posted October 25, 2007 Hi, Well, I guess that is as much as admitting the ride was unsafe, isn't it? I hope this tragedy will mean stricter regulation and checking of safety measures, but I'm not holding my breath. Sanuk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene1944 Posted October 25, 2007 Report Share Posted October 25, 2007 The Siam Park owner presented the injured 10 yr old daughter of woman who was killed, a lifetime pass to the park and a few other things while she recovers in the hospital. Just what she needs whenever she wants to think about her mom. Unbelievable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekong Posted October 25, 2007 Report Share Posted October 25, 2007 Every year here, people die in amusement parks as a result of negligence, poor maintenance etc, not sure it is fair to blame it on poor Thai engineering, as it happens everywhere. Twice in one week I find myself yet again agreeing with OH (its OK I pick my meds up in the morning) Thai's did not Engineer the ride, as a a matter of fact Thailand does not Engineer anything as such, it imports ideas and technology at a price and retains "Consultants" to accept liabilty. And you think working in Thailand is fun? Shygye asked Seems like a bad design. Why would the water level drop when the pumps are off? The "car: that dropped was at the top of a 20 meter slope, the physics of the ride is that the viscosity of the water decelerates the "car" on its descent. To pump water to 20 meter you need 2 Bar (29.88 PSIA) Pressure. I would be asking :- ? a) why was system not on redundant pumps why no back up for primary failure, mechanicala or electrical (Do a SIL Boys)? c) Why the Fuck am I doing a risk analysis at this time of night? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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