This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/mar/19/alton-towers-reopens-smiler-ride-despite-victims-pleas

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Alton Towers ride reopens despite protests Alton Towers ride reopens despite protests
(6 months later)
Alton Towers reopened its main rollercoaster ride on Saturday, nine months after a crash that caused appalling injuries to five passengers.Alton Towers reopened its main rollercoaster ride on Saturday, nine months after a crash that caused appalling injuries to five passengers.
Related: Alton Towers to open 'groundbreaking' virtual reality rollercoaster
The Staffordshire theme park was beginning its first season since 16 people were injured in the Smiler accident, with its owner hoping to make a fresh start in spite of opposition from some of the victims. These include 21-year-old Vicky Balch, whose leg was amputated after one of the ride’s carriages smashed into another at high speed. She has criticised Alton Towers for putting “money before safety” and called for the ride to remain closed. But the crowds who queued outside the park from 7am had different ideas.The Staffordshire theme park was beginning its first season since 16 people were injured in the Smiler accident, with its owner hoping to make a fresh start in spite of opposition from some of the victims. These include 21-year-old Vicky Balch, whose leg was amputated after one of the ride’s carriages smashed into another at high speed. She has criticised Alton Towers for putting “money before safety” and called for the ride to remain closed. But the crowds who queued outside the park from 7am had different ideas.
When the gates opened at 10am, dozens of people sprinted from the turnstiles to the Smiler’s entrance. Among them was James Butler, a 21-year-old acting and theatre student from Staffordshire University, who visited the park more than 60 times last year. “It was crazy,” he said. “We were all running down the hill and screaming and shouting. I just wanted to be here. It’s the first time it’s run since the accident. I loved the ride, even after the accident. It’s the safest ride in the world now.”When the gates opened at 10am, dozens of people sprinted from the turnstiles to the Smiler’s entrance. Among them was James Butler, a 21-year-old acting and theatre student from Staffordshire University, who visited the park more than 60 times last year. “It was crazy,” he said. “We were all running down the hill and screaming and shouting. I just wanted to be here. It’s the first time it’s run since the accident. I loved the ride, even after the accident. It’s the safest ride in the world now.”
Neil Charteris, a 53-year-old maintenance engineer from Cannock, who has friends who have worked at the park, went on with his daughter Laura. He said had “no nerves. The safety issue doesn’t bother me. I’m just glad it’s re-opened, so we can carry on.”Neil Charteris, a 53-year-old maintenance engineer from Cannock, who has friends who have worked at the park, went on with his daughter Laura. He said had “no nerves. The safety issue doesn’t bother me. I’m just glad it’s re-opened, so we can carry on.”
Park owner Merlin Entertainments says it has “sought to learn every possible lesson” from the events of 2 June, with extra training for the ride’s operators and new safety procedures.Park owner Merlin Entertainments says it has “sought to learn every possible lesson” from the events of 2 June, with extra training for the ride’s operators and new safety procedures.
Another season-pass holder, James Bowman, said the precautions convinced him the ride was safe. The 33-year-old carer from Tamworth said: “They’ve added extra platforms and supports. I would have thought there would have been more reinforcement at the front. There’s really thin metal there. But I think they’ve done a great job.”Another season-pass holder, James Bowman, said the precautions convinced him the ride was safe. The 33-year-old carer from Tamworth said: “They’ve added extra platforms and supports. I would have thought there would have been more reinforcement at the front. There’s really thin metal there. But I think they’ve done a great job.”
Not everyone was convinced. Lizzy Lee, a 22-year-old carer from Salford, stood watching the rides for more than an hour while her boyfriend queued to go on the Smiler. “I do like rollercoasters but I’m not keen on the upside down thing,” she said. Last year’s tragedy was a “put-off”, she added.Not everyone was convinced. Lizzy Lee, a 22-year-old carer from Salford, stood watching the rides for more than an hour while her boyfriend queued to go on the Smiler. “I do like rollercoasters but I’m not keen on the upside down thing,” she said. Last year’s tragedy was a “put-off”, she added.
The Health and Safety Executive is prosecuting Merlin Attractions Operations over the incident, with a hearing due at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on 22 April.The Health and Safety Executive is prosecuting Merlin Attractions Operations over the incident, with a hearing due at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on 22 April.
Five people were seriously injured and another 11 suffered whiplash in the crash. An empty carriage was left on the track while another was sent out around the 14 loops at speeds of 50mph in some places. When the carriage filled with passengers hit the stationary car, a metal barrier at the front smashed into the legs of the four passengers at the front. Eyewitnesses said the second cart was pushed up the track, then fell back down, hitting them again.Five people were seriously injured and another 11 suffered whiplash in the crash. An empty carriage was left on the track while another was sent out around the 14 loops at speeds of 50mph in some places. When the carriage filled with passengers hit the stationary car, a metal barrier at the front smashed into the legs of the four passengers at the front. Eyewitnesses said the second cart was pushed up the track, then fell back down, hitting them again.
In addition to Balch, Leah Washington, 18, needed surgery to amputate her leg, while Joe Pugh, aged 19, suffered serious damage to his kneecaps, and Daniel Thorpe, 28, and Chandaben Chauhan, 49, were badly injured.In addition to Balch, Leah Washington, 18, needed surgery to amputate her leg, while Joe Pugh, aged 19, suffered serious damage to his kneecaps, and Daniel Thorpe, 28, and Chandaben Chauhan, 49, were badly injured.
An internal investigation by Alton Towers found that the crash was the result of human error, because an operator decided to override a safety system.An internal investigation by Alton Towers found that the crash was the result of human error, because an operator decided to override a safety system.
Related: Alton Towers owner to face court over Smiler rollercoaster accident
After last summer’s incident, visitor numbers to the park dropped significantly. Merlin made 190 redundancies at Alton Towers, where it employs around 2,000 people. But the group, which also owns Legoland, Madame Tussauds and the London Eye, enjoyed a slight increase in 2015 profits to £250m.After last summer’s incident, visitor numbers to the park dropped significantly. Merlin made 190 redundancies at Alton Towers, where it employs around 2,000 people. But the group, which also owns Legoland, Madame Tussauds and the London Eye, enjoyed a slight increase in 2015 profits to £250m.
The group is hoping that visitor numbers pick up, and regular guests said the park was about as busy yesterday as it was last year. Queues for the Smiler were advertised at 90 minutes by 1pm yesterday, although most of the other rides were much less popular. Rollercoasters including Thirteen, Rita and Oblivion had queues of 30 minutes while Nemesis, another popular ride, had wait times of only 15 minutes.The group is hoping that visitor numbers pick up, and regular guests said the park was about as busy yesterday as it was last year. Queues for the Smiler were advertised at 90 minutes by 1pm yesterday, although most of the other rides were much less popular. Rollercoasters including Thirteen, Rita and Oblivion had queues of 30 minutes while Nemesis, another popular ride, had wait times of only 15 minutes.
Alton Towers staff are pinning hopes on a virtual-reality rollercoaster to improve visitor numbers. Passengers on the Galactica ride will wear headsets that, says the park, make them feel as though they are flying through space. They will be able to look at planets and asteroids while hanging from the rollercoaster harness at up to 46mph.Alton Towers staff are pinning hopes on a virtual-reality rollercoaster to improve visitor numbers. Passengers on the Galactica ride will wear headsets that, says the park, make them feel as though they are flying through space. They will be able to look at planets and asteroids while hanging from the rollercoaster harness at up to 46mph.