Thorpe Park will remain open to the public today after reassuring visitors that the attempted murder on its site yesterday was ‘very much an isolated incident’.
The theme park said it felt ‘confident’ that it had the ‘necessary security procedures’ in place to keep its guests and staff safe after a man in his 20s suffered a serious slash wound to his stomach following a fight between two groups.
Yesterday the Surrey theme park was locked down between 4pm and 6pm after the visitor was left ‘seriously injured’ in the altercation on the bridge close to the exit.
Two men in their twenties were later arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, Surrey Police said.
Visitors will be allowed to visit the Surrey theme park after one man suffered a serious slash wound following an altercation between two groups. Pictured: Crowds form following the fight between the two groups
An ambulance is pictured at the scene as visitors took to Twitter to say the theme park had been locked down
Thorpe Park took to Twitter to confirm that they would be opening the resort as planned
The injured visitor is now being treated in hospital for non-life threatening injuries and the incident is not been treated as terror-related.
In a statement today the theme park said: ‘Thorpe Park Resort will remain open as planned today, Sunday 19th July and we look forward to welcoming guests with pre-booked tickets to the Resort.
‘We would like to reassure guests that the incident that took place at the Resort as a result between two guests yesterday was very much an isolated incident.
‘The health, safety and security of out visitors and staff is our primary objective. We have an excellent security track record and have never had any incidents of this kind in over forty years, with millions of visitors during this time.
‘We feel confident we have the necessary security procedures and measures in place to keep our guests and staff safe.’
Security teams carry out bag searches and regularly patrol the premises and investigations are ongoing into how a weapon was brought inside the resort, near Chertsey, in Surrey.
Sharing her experience of searches at the resort, Megan Apps described how her bag was searched for ten seconds but not thoroughly.
She said: ‘They didn’t even search all sections of my bag. No frisking and no detectors.
‘Hopefully policies change, I won’t be going back otherwise.’
In a statement today the theme park said it had ‘an excellent security track record’ and felt confident it’s visitors and staff were safe
Police cordon off the scene as they carry out their investigations into the stabbing yesterday
Following the attack yesterday a spokesman for Thorpe Park told MailOnline: ‘A guest was seriously injured by another guest.’
‘South East Coast Ambulance Service said they were called to the theme park at 4.50pm following ‘reports of a person with an abdominal injury’.
The ambulance service tweeted: ‘We were call to attend Thorpe Park in Surrey at about 4.50pm following reports of a person with an abdominal injury. (sic)
‘On arrival, treated one person who was taken to a London Hospital. We have no further information.’
Those inside the park tweeted that it had been closed with members of the public shut inside while police officer dealt with the scene.
The park later confirmed it reopened its exit gates at 6.12pm.
Emergency services rushed to the bridge at the main entrance to the park and photos from the scene showed a heavy police presence.
One shocked onlooker described seeing blood on the floor.
Another said: ‘Rides closed everyone was leaving but they had to hold everyone back so rides have reopened while the incident is dealt with. (sic).’
It is thought some visitors have gradually been allowed to leave.
Detective Inspector Andy Greaves said: ‘I’m keen to hear from anyone who saw what happened or who has video footage of this assault.
One visitor claimed ‘someone was stabbed on the bridge’. They said rides had been closed as everyone was leaving but then reopened again
South East Coast Ambulance Service said they were called to the theme park at 4.50pm following ‘reports of a person with an abdominal injury’
‘The two groups of people were close to the exit inside the park on the bridge when the assault took place.
‘We’re still trying to establish what has happened, however I’d like to stress that this incident is not being treated as terrorism-related at the current time.
‘Enquiries are ongoing to locate all those believed to have been involved. Officers will remain in the area for some time this evening and I’d like to thank Thorpe Park for their assistance and co-operation with our investigation.’
One social media user commented: ‘Some absolutely heartbreaking rumours coming out of Thorpe Park now.
‘Apparently a stabbing has occurred on the bridge.
‘The park has made the right decision to keep rides open whilst they deal with the situation. Stay safe everyone.’
A third added: ‘Unreal day at Thorpe Park! Leaving the park now and friends and I are all okay but something went down here today.
‘The police wouldn’t let any of us leave, they had a screen across the bridge which they’ve taken down, and had a police dog underneath the bridge.’
A spokesman for Thorpe Park revealed a fully trained medical team were on the scene ‘within minutes’.
They added: ‘The Resort’s security team and fully trained medical staff were at the scene within minutes and administered immediate care until emergency services teams arrived.
‘The Police were alerted immediately and the Resort is co-operating fully with their investigations.
‘The health, safety and security of our guests is our primary objective. We have an excellent security track record and have never had any incidents of this kind in over forty years.
‘Our staff are trained to respond to incidents of all size and scale, and the Resort’s security staff maintain regular patrols on site. CCTV cameras are also situated throughout the Resort.
‘We will be maintaining contact with both the injured guests’ family and the Police.’
Visitors took to Twitter after the incident. One described going through ‘one of the scariest things I have ever had to experience’
Visitor Tony Stone told SurreyLive he was at Thorpe Park with his children – who were ‘concerned and upset’.
Mr Stone said: ‘I’m here with my children who are very concerned and upset.
‘We could see paramedics working on someone on the bridge. We have been told to come back in the park.’
Another said: ‘There’s reports of a stabbing. The bridge has been cornered off with police tape and there was police dogs. Guests are slowly leaving via the other side of the bridge and all hotel guests are in the bar and restaurant.’
A visitor to the park yesterday said: ‘Just left Thorpe Park after being locked in there after 2 hours due to a stabbing, who on earth takes a knife to a family theme park? Strange world we live in!!’
Another said: ‘If you’re at thorpe park right now, please stay safe and be respectful to the staff&management who are doing what they can to keep the rides running.’
Theme parks were among the venues to be given the greenlight by Prime Minister to begin operating again on July 4 as the Government continues to ease lockdown measures.
‘Super Saturday’ as some people nicknamed it saw the return of theme parks, pubs, restaurants, hotels and many other businesses that had previously been closed while the pandemic was dealt with.
Thorpe Park tweeted on July 4 reminding people that they were opening again and welcoming visitors back.
Their official Twitter account tweeted: ‘Woohoo it’s OPENING DAY! We are so excited to be opening our gates and welcoming guests back to the Resort today!
‘Please remember that due to the new measures in place we have a limited capacity and therefore all tickets must be pre-booked. All tickets are sold out for today.’
One new rule implemented by Thorpe Park was making face masks compulsory on some rides, anyone who did not bring one with them needed to buy one inside the park
As with other venues, Thorpe Park was not exempt from new rules and health and safety measures to make sure people enjoyed a safe visit.
Although the park reopened to visitors, the total number of people allowed into the park was reduced to allow for social distancing within the grounds and only visitors who had pre-booked tickets were allowed to enter the park.
Thorpe Park’s website offered visitors a list of checks to carry out before travelling to the site to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
These included checking the park’s social media for updates on rides and news; bringing a contactless bank card to limit the amount of cash that was being exchanged and refraining from visiting if any member of the visitor’s group displayed symptoms of the virus.
Seating arrangements were also changed by Thorpe Park so that people from different groups were not allowed to sit next to each other and some seats were left empty to ensure people were distanced enough
As with public transport, face masks were also made compulsory on certain rides and rollercoasters – though water rides were excluded from this list.
The park were selling face masks for any guests that had not brought one from home.
Upon arrival at Thorpe Park, all guests and members of staff were submitted to a temperature check before being allowed to enter the site.
Although details of guests’ temperatures were not retained by the park, any guests who refused to be tested or had a temperature above 37.8C, along with the rest of their group, were refused entry to the grounds.
New signs and markings were put up all around the park to help guide and inform guests about the best practises to maintain social distancing and ensure all guests enjoyed a safe visit
Inside the park grounds Thorpe Park had also made changes to ensure social distancing was followed by guests and staff.
Markers and signs were installed at the entrances to rides and rollercoasters, toilets and dining areas to direct guests on how far to stand away from other people and members of staff monitored queues to ensure that the guidance was being followed.
The park also adapted the way it arranged seating so that in eating areas groups were kept at a safe distance by blocked and removed chairs, some rides left empty seats between guests and visitors enjoying live shows were kept at a safe distance from performers and other people.
In order to protect their staff, Thorpe Park also installed hygiene screens at service counters and food stalls.
What safety measures were put in place by Thorpe Park?
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE:
- All guests needed to pre-book their entry tickets as the park had set a limit on how many guests could visit in a single day. Those who had not pre-booked were denied entry.
- Visitors were encouraged to bring a contactless bank card with them to reduce the number of cash transactions.
- Face masks were made compulsory on many rides and guests who did not bring one from home were required to purchase one in the park
ON ARRIVAL:
- All guests and staff were required to undergo a temperature check. Anybody who refused or had a temperature above 37.8C were denied entry
INSIDE THE PARK:
- Signs and markings were introduced in queues to instruct guests on how far to stand away from other people
- Eating areas were distanced by removing or blocking off chairs and an emphasis was placed on ‘Grab & Go’ food
- Some seats were left empty on rides and for live attractions to ensure visitors were kept at a safe distance
- Hygeine screens were installed at service counters and food stalls to protect staff and guests
CLEANING:
- High-frequency touch points were cleaned regularly by staff
- Hand sanitiser dispensers were placed around the the park to be used regularly
- All staff were required to wear PPE
Thorpe Park staff wearing PPE prepare a ride. Face masks are now compulsory on most rides and some seats are left empty to ensure guests are distanced from each other