What’s the point of having a safety system if any operator who didn’t understand the risks couldn’t simply override it to keep the queues moving
This will definitely not be the case, it will have been done by a senior operator/engineer, and it won’t be just a case of pressing a single button to get the ride going again. High level system logons and/or authorisation keys will be required as a minimum.
The control systems on rides like this have to go through independent assessment by a UK company, and will therefore be solid. This assessment will cover ‘idiotic’ or ‘accidental’ actions by operators.
However maintenance/manual modes and system overrides are always included as part of a control system such as that will be installed here, as under certain situations they are required (usually maintenance but sometimes in a emergency). The use of these system should be very closely controlled and documented, and this is what looks to have gone wrong here.
In the case of a ride like this I would have expected every system override to have a defined procedure which requires carrying out and signing off by at least two people (both must be authorised for the operation also). This procedure would ensure that the override will not create a dangerous situation. In the case of this incident it should cover things like visually checking the track is clear. This procedure will also be linked to the detailed operations manual which should exist for the ride.
It is very unlikely a single person will be scapegoated for this horrible incident. Ultimately a single person may have carried out the override and set the ride going again but a whole load of other things must have failed for situation to arise in the first place, and this will come back to the company.
The bit that I find intriguing and will be interested what the HSE cover on the matter, is why the cartridges don’t have bumpers/buffers that can withstand a crash at full speed fully loaded. In the photo above right under the smiler logo you can see the main backbone of the chassis protruding surly it’s ‘reasonably practicable’ to fit bumpers/buffers that would stop people getting crushed in a crash did happen?
Under the hierarchy of control you shouldn’t relay on a safety system when the situation (crushing) can be removed by mechanical design.