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Alton Towers' Smiler ride reopens nine months after horror crash | Alton Towers' Smiler ride reopens nine months after horror crash |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A rollercoaster at Alton Towers has reopened nine months after an accident which left five people with serious injuries. | |
Some of the first people on the Smiler ride cheered and clapped when it moved off, as crowds arrived for the new season at the Staffordshire theme park. | Some of the first people on the Smiler ride cheered and clapped when it moved off, as crowds arrived for the new season at the Staffordshire theme park. |
Two women needed amputations after two carriages crashed on the track in June. | Two women needed amputations after two carriages crashed on the track in June. |
The park said it had introduced "additional safety procedures" to the way the ride operates. | The park said it had introduced "additional safety procedures" to the way the ride operates. |
Jim Harvey and his 14-year-old son Liam, from Bloxwich, West Midlands, were among the first on the Smiler when it reopened. | |
'Terribly sad' | |
Mr Harvey said: "It was fantastic, a bit daunting being first on - my son Liam forced me to sprint to be first. | |
"After the terribly sad crash, you have to feel really bad for the people that got hurt but hundreds of accidents happen daily on the roads. | |
"There's not a nice way to say it but accidents happen. Alton Towers have to move on." | |
Some of the people injured in the crash last June said on the eve of the new season they wished the ride would remain closed. | |
Vicky Balch, who along with another passenger, Leah Washington, from Lancashire, had to have a leg amputated, told ITV: "I understand it's a business and it's what they have to do. I just didn't think it'd be so soon. It's only nine months, it's not a very long time." | Vicky Balch, who along with another passenger, Leah Washington, from Lancashire, had to have a leg amputated, told ITV: "I understand it's a business and it's what they have to do. I just didn't think it'd be so soon. It's only nine months, it's not a very long time." |
"It feels like the money comes before the people on the ride." | "It feels like the money comes before the people on the ride." |
Joe Pugh, of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, Daniel Thorpe, from Buxton, Derbyshire, and Chandaben Chauhan, from Wednesbury, West Midlands, were also seriously injured. | Joe Pugh, of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, Daniel Thorpe, from Buxton, Derbyshire, and Chandaben Chauhan, from Wednesbury, West Midlands, were also seriously injured. |
In total 16 people were hurt in the incident, which park owner Merlin Entertainments said was due to human error. | In total 16 people were hurt in the incident, which park owner Merlin Entertainments said was due to human error. |
BBC reporter Becky Woods, at Alton Towers | |
Rollercoaster fans arrived at Alton Towers from dawn to be among the first to ride the Smiler. | |
Hundreds of people queued to get into park on the first day of the new season but the queues moved quite quickly. | |
The theme park sent empty carriages around the Smiler before allowing members of the public on. | |
Its first riders cheered and clapped as the ride was started. | |
Many visitors headed straight for the Smiler - although the queue for it remains relatively short. | |
Alton Towers said the safety of its guests and employees must always be paramount and that the Smiler ride been re-examined and issued with a document of compliance before reopening. | |
"The park has implemented a number of changes to the way the ride is operated, including enhanced training and additional safety procedures," a statement said. | "The park has implemented a number of changes to the way the ride is operated, including enhanced training and additional safety procedures," a statement said. |
The Health and Safety Executive is prosecuting Merlin Entertainments over the crash and the company is due in court next month. | The Health and Safety Executive is prosecuting Merlin Entertainments over the crash and the company is due in court next month. |