Thorpe Park to breathalyse students to stop drunks causing 'sick shutdowns' on the rollercoasters

Park has seen 250 per cent increase in people being sick during the infamous student 'freshers week'

PUBLISHED: 03:37 EST, 25 September 2012 | UPDATED: 06:28 EST, 25 September 2012

Theme park managers are taking the drastic measure of breath testing students, after too many have vomited on rollercoasters while drunk or hungover during the first week of university.

But far from turning them away, Thorpe Park staff are instead happily directing those who are over the limit to the most extreme rollercoaster - which hurtles them through the air head-first at up to 60mph.

It might sound like a harsh lesson, but research supported by the park has found the blast of fresh air on The Swarm is exactly what queasy guests need to settle their stomachs and avoid being sick.

Staff members will now be breathalysing students and directing them to adrenaline-boosting rides to cure their hangovers

Staff members will now be breathalysing students and directing those over the limit to adrenaline-boosting rides to cure their hangovers

Staff have seen a massive 250 per cent increase in the number of people being sick on rides this week, as new students arrive at university for the first time and get stuck in to the infamous alcohol-fueled freshers week.

The Surrey park, which is close to a number of universities,will breathalyse students to avoid an increase in ‘sick shutdowns’, on some of its most vomit-inducing rides and attractions.

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Those who have more than 35mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath will then be fast-tracked onto the park’s proven hangover-busting rides, and turned away from others until they are feeling perkier.

The move will hopefully appease families, who will no longer be forced to wait while rides are closed during clean-up operations.

The Swarm sends riders shooting through the air head-first down a drop of 39m - but has been found to be the perfect solution to settling queasy stomachs

The research, carried out by neuropsychologist Dr David Lewis, foundthe blast of oxygen on the high-speed Swarm improves drunk riders' metabolic rate, which boosts speeds at which toxins are broken down.

Mike Vallis, divisional director of Thorpe Park, said: ‘Thorpe Park does not condone drinking and riding, however, during this Fresher’s Week period, we realise that a number of our guests do not recognise that they are suffering from the effects of the night before.

‘We felt it was our duty to ensure that all of our guests enjoy the extreme nature of our rides and by putting them on The Swarm, which is proven to be the ultimate hangover cure.

‘We are confident our guests will have a great, and hopefully vomit-free, day.’

Thorpe Park hopes the move will end years of 'sick shutdowns', which force guests to wait while rides are cleaned of vomit

Comments (98)

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Can this country sink any lower ?

- Big Mama Mai , london, 26/9/2012 16:03

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So the 'poor students' we've been hearing about, just managing to scrape by after paying for their courses, can afford to drink themselves silly AND visit theme parks? Yeah sounds like a tough life. - darren , Londonderry NI, 25/9/2012 22:22 Do you realise that most of us hold down jobs as well as education? Not to mention the amount of saving up it takes for a fun trip with friends like this?! Obviously not. You're tarring us all with the same brush, which is not fair in the slightest.

- student , dundee, 26/9/2012 01:45

Click to rate Rating 13

The only way to do such a ride is on an empty stomach .

- Fiat Lux , Caloundra, 26/9/2012 01:10

Click to rate Rating 11

Why pamper them? -I say give them a mop and bucket.

- Julie , Leicester, United Kingdom, 26/9/2012 00:40

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Publicity stunt, much? Pathetic...

- Snitch Sox , Bodmin Moor, 25/9/2012 23:45

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students can still afford to get drunk after paying the fees to get into thorpe park? Where are they getting this money from? Daft parents?

- Jesuis , Reading, 25/9/2012 23:38

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Note to self - do not walk under the swarm in case they are wrong about it being good for upset stomachs!

- jaybee , Jersey, 25/9/2012 23:24

Click to rate Rating 26

So the 'poor students' we've been hearing about, just managing to scrape by after paying for their courses, can afford to drink themselves silly AND visit theme parks? Yeah sounds like a tough life.

- darren , Londonderry NI, 25/9/2012 22:22

Click to rate Rating 34

CouldDoBetter - you need a reality check. Thanks to my four years as a student I am now able to work as a teacher and support my family who (despite what you think) aren't wealthy. We aren't all idiots and having people tarring us all with the same brush is upsetting. I worked incredibly hard to be where I am, and yes - whilst at university I drank alcohol with my friends. Not once was I vomiting in the street, nor have I needed the NHS or an ambulance service due to drinking nor have I had any contact with the police. We don't pay council tax because we are rarely living in one place for more than 9 months at a time, and please - how exactly are you paying for me to be a student? I think my £30,000 debt goes to show you are not. In future, please keep your prejudiced and stereotyped opinions to yourself.

- Bobbie , London, 25/9/2012 22:22

Click to rate Rating 77

Note to self get drunk to fast track on new ride then!

- Mrs.J , reading, berks, 25/9/2012 22:14

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