DUBAI // The debut of a giant water-slide attraction was cancelled yesterday because there was insufficient pressure for it to operate.
Carrying tubes and rings in 38°C heat, more than 100 disgruntled adventure seekers, including children, walked out of Dubai Autodrome, where City Slide, a 500-metre inflatable thrill ride, had been set up for a two-day event. Ticket-holders said there were no buses to take them from the gate to the slide and children walked more than a kilometre in the heat.
Dozens of people crowded into the ticket area demanding information and refunds but were told to apply for refunds online, quoting their order or ticket numbers.
Organiser Tamquest Entertainment said in a Facebook post: “We are heartbroken to tell you that we have to stop the event ... due to problems with the water supply, we are not able to let you slide properly.”
They said that tickets for Friday would be valid for today and people should turn up at the time slot they were allocated for Friday. If people were unable to make Saturday, they were urged to email info@city-slide.com with their name and order number to request a refund.
Sholeen Carrimjee, a mother with a group of seven family and friends, said one or two people suffered minor injuries.
“It was very upsetting because people got hurt and there didn’t seem to be anybody in charge,” she said. “There was not enough of an incline and you need added water pressure for this to work. Some adults tried to slide but took just two steps and then had to walk.”
She said some childen had tried too.
“We were worried because we had kids with us. A lady got hurt and one little kid hurt his arm. There were safety issues because children were excited and wanted to try sliding.”
Others, too, told of being advised to jump into the two-lane chutes despite there being insufficient water flow.
The event, which organisers said was a hit in Europe, was advertised as a thrill ride for adventure seekers who would get the chance to whizz down slides on rubber rings propelled by jets of soapy water.
“Someone announced that we should jump in, not to worry and that we would be able to slide,” said Ali Atwi, 13, who queued with his father in the first group of participants due to go on the slide at 11am.
Tickets cost Dh170 for two-hour slide sessions and people were continuing to arrive throughout the day for their slot, unaware that the event was cancelled.
A dejected Ali added: “I did not jump because it did not look safe. But other children tried and got hurt. They should not have told people to jump. It was disappointing, this would have been fun for the Eid break.”
“There is not enough soap so no one can slide, plus the water is dirty,” said waterpark enthusiast Evette Sullivan.
“There were cigarette butts in the slide so that was disgusting. They said they need more water tankers. No one had information we needed.”
Groups of people huddled in the shade in the hope that the slide would start working.
“Everyone is giving us different information,” said Ernesto Jay, who was sheltering his daughter from the sun with a cloak.
“Every person you talk to says they are not responsible. It’s too hot, especially for children to walk so much; there should have been shuttle buses. This was an expensive ride - it was Dh700 for the family. It’s such a waste of a day.”
The water slide would be operational on Saturday, organisers said.
“It was due to technical issues. This is a new event and we have learnt our lesson,” said Uttam Kumar, managing director of Tamquest Entertainment. Ticket-holders would get a refund in three to four days or would be accommodated on Saturday, he said.
rtalwar@thenational.ae
