An amusement park has issued an apology after visitors said they were being 'fat shamed' when they were asked to use a set of scales before getting on water rides.
Adventure World in Perth, Australia, introduced the system to manage safety on some of the attractions but it has now admitted to handling the new system 'poorly'.
After guests stood on the scales a green or red light would flash - telling them whether they could ride or not. Meaning that, if they couldn't, they were too heavy and had to leave the queue.
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People dubbed the procedure 'degrading' and 'humiliating' with one person, who admitted struggling with their weight for years, calling it 'disgraceful'.
Now, a statement from CEO Andrew Sharry has been issued which reads: "In our efforts to introduce important systems to better manage safety on some of our waterslides, we have handled the communication of these new waterslide systems poorly and we have upset our Guests and Members.
"This is the last thing we wanted to do. On Monday, I connected with an expert who specialises in body image and eating disorders, and I can now see how these waterslide safety systems would be received as traumatic and upsetting for some of our guests and members.
"I am genuinely sorry that we have caused this distress to our guests and members - Our purpose is to create happiness and magical memories. We have not achieved that on this occasion and I acknowledge that we can do better.
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"I have spoken with the family involved and have personally apologised for the hurt that we have caused."
One of those describing it as 'humiliating' explained how their 13-year-old daughter was weight checked and was asked to leave.
Speaking to The West Australian, the mum said: "My eldest daughter took my youngest daughter, who has special needs, up the slides. She noticed the weight machine but just lined up with her sister and her friends.
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"Once at the top she was stopped and asked to stand on a weight machine. The lights flickered green and then red and then green again.
"The operator then walked over to an electrical box and looked inside it, and then came back to her and said sorry, you weigh this amount and you can't go down."
This left the girl having to do what was described as a 'walk of shame' back down the stairs.
Further reiterating their regret to news.com.au, Mr Sharry claimed to have sought the expertise of someone specialising in body image and eating disorders.
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He told the publication: "I can now see how these safety systems would be received as traumatic and upsetting for some of our guests and members.
"I am genuinely sorry that we have caused this distress to our guests and members.
"Our purpose is to create happiness and magical memories. We have not achieved that on this occasion and I acknowledge that we can do better."
Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Adventure World - Official PageTopics: News, Weird, Australia