A burns survivor who was removed from a children’s ride at Thorpe Park because she has no hands says she was left feeling “embarrassed” and “disappointed” with how staff handled the incident.
Lisa Morrison, 33, visited the resort last week as part of a seven-day holiday with her six-year-old son Brayden.
The pair enjoyed a day out at Alton Towers Resort on Tuesday and Drayton Manor Resort on Wednesday, before heading to Thorpe Park Resort in Surrey on Thursday.
Ms Morrison – a mother-of-one from Kirkcaldy in Fife – said she and her son queued for around an hour to go on the Flying Fish family rollercoaster ride.
After getting into their seat, Ms Morrison told Sky News that staff were “whispering” but she “could hear what they were saying – that I didn’t have any hands”.
She said a female staff member then asked her to get off the ride.
Ms Morrison was injured in a house fire when she was a baby
Ms Morrison said: “I told her I wasn’t getting off the ride. It was a child’s ride.
“I didn’t think I would have any problems at Thorpe Park because I’d had no problems at Alton Towers or Drayton Manor.
“I was really embarrassed, and my son was getting himself really worked up.”
Thorpe Park apologised for Ms Morrison’s experience but said “the health and safety of our guests is always our top priority”.
Ms Morrison was injured in a house fire when she was just three-months-old.
She underwent a double amputation under the wrist, but still has two fingers on her left-hand side.
Ms Morrison said she was told by staff that she would not be able to go on the ride due to having “no upper body strength” to support her.
On the Thorpe Park website, the Flying Fish is advertised as a family-friendly rollercoaster in which riders must have full upper body strength including head and neck control to be able to “brace against the forces”.
It also states riders must have a minimum of three full limbs and missing or amputated legs must be below the knee.
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Ms Morrison said: “I drive a car that has no adaptions whatsoever – just a normal car.
“I live myself. I don’t have carers or anything. I look after my child. I’m a single mum to my son, who I’ve brought up on my own.
“Because we’d had such a good experience at Alton Towers, that’s why we went to the other ones.”
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Thorpe Park said while both it and Alton Towers are owned by Merlin Entertainments, the rides at each park often have different health and safety requirements.
Ms Morrison said she went on other rides at Thorpe Park including the teacups and Mr Monkey’s Banana Boat Family Ride, but the latter broke down before it started.
Ms Morrison has since returned home to Scotland and is awaiting a refund from the park.
She said: “I’m very disappointed with how it was handled.
“I was trying to explain to them that their wording says a double arm amputation. It doesn’t mention anything about not having fingers.”
Thorpe Park in Surrey. Pic: PA
Thorpe Park said when staff noticed Ms Morrison’s amputations, they “followed protocol” by requesting her to disembark in order for them to explain the safety restrictions.
A spokesperson for the resort said: “At Thorpe Park, we want to be the attraction of choice for visitors with disabilities.
“We are sorry to hear Lisa’s experience at Thorpe Park didn’t live up to her expectations.
“The health and safety of our guests is always our top priority.
“The minimum safety requirements to use certain rides are based upon the guidelines and best practices set by the equipment manufacturers and industry associations, which differ for each attraction.
“We adhere to their guidelines with the utmost attention and accuracy in order to ensure guest safety in all potential situations, including evacuations where guests may need to climb unaided.”
Before visiting, all guests with disabilities are urged to check the resort’s website so as they can plan their visit.
The Thorpe Park spokesperson added: “Our team spoke to Lisa on the day to explain the health and safety requirements for this ride and as a gesture of goodwill we agreed to refund her tickets and apologised for any confusion or discomfort caused.
“We have subsequently tried to contact Lisa again in order to confirm the refund and clarify her concerns and remain willing to engage with her on this issue.”