Squirrel banned from rollercoaster ride!

Phoenix Herald (ANI) Monday 15th February, 2010

London, Feb 15 : Alton Towers theme park has banned a squirrel from its rollercoaster as its pranks posed a health and safety risk.

The rodent was reportedly creating problems for operators at Alton Towers by obstructing improvement work on an attraction at the resort.

Workers noticed the squirrel riding the revamped Sonic Spinball roller coaster when it was tested in the mornings and even joining visitors who were offered an early go on it before it was officially opened.

The grey-haired animal also stole food from the workers.

"It was getting in the way of builders who were painting," the Telegraph quoted a spokesman for the Staffordshire theme park, as saying.

He added: "They couldn't carry on because they would end up with paw prints in the paint.

"And we can't have anything on the track when the roller coaster is going round."

And now park authorities have installed alarms that emit a warning noise inaudible to humans but designed to ensure the squirrel, nicknamed Sonic, does not hop onto the ride anymore.

Morwenna Angove, sales and marketing director at the Alton Towers resort, said: "Unfortunately Sonic's behaviour is a danger both to our guests and himself and so we're doing all we can to ensure that he stays away from the ride.

"Banning a squirrel from a roller coaster is certainly unusual but I suppose there's a first time for everything."

The Sonic Spinball ride officially opened to the public yesterday.