Alton Towers’ brand-new rollercoaster, Toxicator, had a rather messy start to its opening day on Saturday. The ride, which is themed around toxic waste and alien battles, had to shut down temporarily after a burst pipe flooded the area with sewage. Yes, you read that right—sewage.
The park had just kicked off its 2025 season, opening its gates at 10 a.m. and planning to stay open until 8 p.m. for its popular Alton After Dark event. The Toxicator ride, announced back in January, had drawn in crowds of eager rollercoaster fans, many of whom waited over an hour to experience the new attraction. The ride promises a thrilling adventure through a world of alien invasions, mysterious experiments, and military action, complete with props like barrels of “toxic waste.”
But things took an unexpected turn when a burst pipe caused sewage to spill near the ride, forcing the area to be evacuated. Social media quickly lit up with reactions. One user joked, “Alton Towers just had a toxic event when their new Toxicator ride started spraying raw sewage on people in the queue.” Another quipped, “Bit too literal on the ‘toxic substance,’” while a third added, “Giving off something extra toxic.”
Photos and videos shared online showed a grid near the ride’s entrance flooded with murky water, with some visitors spotting a brown liquid. One person humorously suggested, “Surely Alton Towers could have kept it running, claiming it’s a special toxic experience today? Stopped the complaints completely!”
Despite the hiccup, the park’s staff acted quickly, cleaning up the mess and reopening the ride in under an hour. Many visitors praised the team for their swift response, with one person writing, “Honestly though, well done getting it cleaned up and reopened for late-night riding.”
A spokesperson for Alton Towers explained, “Due to an unexpected burst pipe near the ride, Toxicator briefly paused operation while our teams swiftly dealt with the issue. The ride and surrounding area are now fully reopened and welcoming guests.”
So, while the Toxicator’s opening day had a stinky surprise, it seems the park handled the situation with speed and a sense of humor. After all, what’s a toxic waste-themed ride without a little extra “reality,” right?