Alton Towers ride submits to age
It was billed as "an instrument of torture" when it became Alton Towers' latest attraction.
But that was 13 years ago and now Submission, the £2 million ride that subjects fun-seekers to 90 seconds of relentless spinning and inversion, is to be retired.
At the time of its launch in 2001, it was the sixth white-knuckle ride to be added to the park's collection and held 24 passengers each time.
Today an Alton Towers spokesman said: "The attraction, which was one of only a handful of its kind in the world, has dangled almost 6.9 million guests upside down over the years, so its rest is definitely well deserved."
The removal of the ride has been part of the park's long-term development plan.
Aimed at young teenagers, it had two passenger gondolas each attached to an arm, one on either side of a central pillar.
The gondolas rotated on the end of each arm in opposite directions, with the arms themselves also rotating in opposing directions.
After starting off slowly, rocking backwards and forwards, the arms lifted into a vertical position.
The gondolas would hang upside-down for several seconds before sending thrill-seeking riders hurtling towards the ground only to snatch them back at the last minute and then repeat the process.
Some adults found the ride a little tame but the main complaint was the extremely restrictive restraints that prevented riders from making any body movements.
Submission's departure will take place almost a year after the arrival of the park's problematic newest attraction, The Smiler.
The rollercoaster opened last May but has had to be closed three times since then over safety issues.
It was shut for five days in November after wheels fell off and hit four people in the front carriage. The guide wheels hit riders in the face and shoulder as it went up an incline.
Park bosses worked with designers to review and replace elements connected to the part of the ride affected.
The £18 million ride, which includes a drop of 30 metres (98ft) and 14 loops, was also closed in July 21 when 48 people had to be rescued and, for five days in August, due to a "technical issue".
The outgoing Submission will be removed before the start of the 2014 season.
