Ex-soldier’s ride refusal spoils theme park visit

An amputee war hero was told he couldn’t ride a rollercoaster at Alton Towers because of his injury, even though he had been on it many times before.

Former soldier Johno Lee, who had his right leg amputated below the knee after a blast in Afghanistan in 2008, said he was told at the information desk on the way in there would be no issues with any of the rides.

However, when Mr Lee, of Coddington, tried to ride the rollercoaster, Air, he was told he couldn’t.

He had already been on Nemesis after removing his prosthetic leg.

He told the Advertiser he had been on Air at least eight times in the past, once when he was unable to walk and still in a wheelchair.

“I love Alton Towers,” he said.

“If something had changed since my last visit, there were many opportunities for them to say so — the internet, on the back of the tickets, at the information desk, or the signs by the ride.

“They kept throwing health and safety at me. I explained to them that I was a soldier and understood health and safety but also that I had ridden Air many times in the past without a problem.

“I told them how I lost my leg and how I had faced far greater challenges than a rollercoaster, but they were having none of it.

“Are they saying Alton Towers is off-limits to guys who lose limbs in combat?

“It’s a smack in the face after the euphoria of the Paralympics.”

Mr Lee said the experience was embarrassing and degrading and he and his wife, Dawn, left the park after only an hour.

They sought a refund on the £45 ticket price but were refused.

“I want an apology and a refund and most of all for the rules to be published so other people don’t pay their money to be disappointed,” Mr Lee said.

A spokesman for Alton Towers said: “We are sorry if there has been a misunderstanding in the communication of our policies relating to guests with amputations.

“It is never our intention to embarrass any of our guests and we can understand Mr Lee’s distress.

“We are proud to welcome visitors who have a disability, together with their helpers or companions, and we aim to encourage everyone to enjoy as many of our facilities as possible, regardless of ability or disability.

“Our policy relating to guests with disabilities has been developed to take into account their specific needs, as well as the general health and safety regulations relating to a business such as ours.

“From time to time the ride manufacturers will review their guidelines regarding operating policies and this is the case with our flying rollercoaster Air.

“This has a very specialised restraint system that incorporates an over-the-shoulder harness and two lower braces that lock around the ankle. Unfortunately, therefore, guests with leg or foot amputations would not be fully contained in this type of system making it uncomfortable for them to ride.

“All of our rides have ride safety notices but in some cases it is more appropriate to ask guests with disabilities to speak to a ride host to determine whether or not they can ride; this is the approach we have taken with Air.”

The spokesman said if Mr Lee contacted Alton Towers directly they would look at the possibility of a refund.