Plus size rollercoaster fan shares her Thorpe Park experience
A size 26 roller coaster fan has shared her theme park experience of struggling to fit into different seats - as she said society 'isn't built' for plus-size people.
Heather O'Neill, 26, from Kent, who is a size 24-26, had planned to go to Thorpe Park in Surrey, but said she was left petrified ahead of the event in case she was unable to fit into the rollercoasters.
She then filmed herself trying the seats - and came to the conclusion that many rollercoasters are not made for over-sized people - before sharing the clips on TikTok, where she quickly went viral.
The mental health nurse said she would like to see society become more accessible for those who are different than 'the norm', adding: 'Theme parks, aeroplanes, buses - society isn't built for anyone who is outside of society's norm of straight, able bodied and slim.'
Heather, a mental health nurse, has said how she nearly didn't go on her trip due to worries over her size.
She added her fears have increased since the death of Tyre Sampson, 14, in March.
Tyre died at Florida's ICON park after being 96lbs over the weight safety limit and falling from a ride.
Heather said: 'I was so nervous to go, I nearly cancelled out of fear that I wouldn't fit on the rides.
The fact that I even have to think about if I will fit the rides is the first difference [in being a plus size customer].
'The feeling nervous before going, the pushing the seat down trying to get it to close. Worrying about how safe the ride will be for me, after that poor man died on a ride in America.
'It's the same as flying - worrying if the seat on the plane will be too small or I'll need a seat belt extender.'
She added: 'I used all the test seats that I could find, which most people don't have to do.
'But rides aren't built for plus size/fat people, it's about accessibility and making spaces inclusive for all bodies and accessibility needs.
'I feel like the staff did everything they could, were helpful and kind, but Thorpe Park is not built for fat people like me.'
Heather decided to film her experience at the park, showing herself trying out the different test seats available.
While she did fit in the majority of seats and could go on most rides, she found she did not fit into the Samurai ride test seat - though still managed to ride the coaster - and was also not able to ride the Colossus.
After struggling with the test seat, Heather says: 'I tried to go on Colossus anyway - didn't fit but staff were really nice and discreet and gave me a fast pass to another ride, so not bad.'