London24NEWS

Thorpe Park failure as new ‘largest and quickest’ rollercoaster already closed

A rollercoaster billed as the tallest and fastest in the UK hasn’t had a smooth start – closing just a day after its official opening.

Hyperia, Thorpe Park’s brand-new rollercoaster, is expected to be closed for three days.

The theme park announced the closure on X, letting thrill-seekers know the ride wouldn’t open on May 25, and later the same day confirming it wouldn’t open between May 29 to May 29 due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

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It added: “We apologise for the disappointment this will cause and we are working hard to reopen Hyperia as soon as possible.”

The highly anticipated ride, standing at 236ft and reaching a top speed of 81mph, was opened to the public a day earlier, on May 24, to coincide with Thorpe Park’s 45th birthday.



The official opening was explosive, but the ride . . . less so
The official opening was explosive, but the ride . . . less so

The park promoted it as “the UK’s tallest, fastest and most weightless rollercoaster” and wait times for the ride had been said to reach 5 hours on Friday as crowds queued for their turn on the “record-breaking” ride.

News of the closure has sparked many opinions on X, with many questioning ways to change their bookings and others hoping to see Hyperia take flight again soon.

Posting on May 25, Danny Jones said: “It really is a shame and it can’t be helped, but I’d love to know exactly what they’ve found to carry on operating last night and not this morning….”

Steve Dorsett added: “Ooof…. not a good look after yesterday went so well.”



It has already been forced to close
It has already been forced to close

User jhndoe121 said: “thats a shame, but safety first. do you know what the issue is?”

Thorpe Park’s response was that circumstances for ride closures could include “technical or operational reasons, capacity, inclement weather, special events or to ensure the safety and security of guests or if Merlin reasonably considers the circumstances so require”.

Others were more cynical, with user Sodium1 posting: “No point in bragging that you have the tallest coaster, cuz until next Wednesday you have a load of scrap metal…”

David Dakota added: “Is this another record breaker? Shortest rollercoaster opening period before a prolonged downtime.”

X user Blair said: “hope she gets better soon!! must be pretty major”

The park’s website outlines options for ticket holders to change the date of their visit to a date after Hyperia’s reopening.

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