New theme park ride rips off limbs
By Rich Leigh on Thursday, January 26, 2012
A new rollercoaster at Thorpe Park has had to undergo an ‘urgent redesign’, after ripping off the limbs of dummies used in test runs.
Of course, we all know better than to believe this, but it’s the latest in a string of smart theme park PR stunts. As the Daily Mail reports, recent Thorpe Park stunts include a contest where the public was asked to donate urine to create a ‘signature stench’ for its horror maze SAW Alive, a stunt where an exorcist was bought in after staff used a Ouija board and a ban on rollercoaster riders putting their hands in the air due to body odour. I also remember a stunt where a ride was ‘moved’ after fears it had disturbed an ancient burial ground.
I particularly liked Frank PR and House PR’s ‘Extreme Vicar’ Alton Towers and Thorpe Park competitions last Easter, where vicars had to battle it out to conduct a special Easter Sunday service, providing some brilliant photo opps.
I digress.
Well done to Thorpe Park’s PR team, I certainly wouldn’t have known about the ride – The Swarm – had they not made this up had to undergo the redesign.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMPju71rMpc