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Alton Towers owner pleads guilty over Smiler rollercoaster crash Alton Towers owner pleads guilty over Smiler rollercoaster crash
(35 minutes later)
The owner of Alton Towers, Merlin Entertainments, is facing a multimillion-pound fine after it admitted breaking health and safety laws in relation to the rollercoaster crash that seriously injured five passengers.The owner of Alton Towers, Merlin Entertainments, is facing a multimillion-pound fine after it admitted breaking health and safety laws in relation to the rollercoaster crash that seriously injured five passengers.
Two people had their legs amputated after the collision on the Smiler ride in June last year, while three others suffered life-changing injuries.Two people had their legs amputated after the collision on the Smiler ride in June last year, while three others suffered life-changing injuries.
In a brief hearing at North Staffordshire justice centre on Friday, the park’s owner, Merlin Entertainments, pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety laws.In a brief hearing at North Staffordshire justice centre on Friday, the park’s owner, Merlin Entertainments, pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety laws.
The firm will face an unlimited fine when it is sentenced at a later date. One senior legal source said the penalty would run “into the millions”, depending on mitigation. The firm will face an unlimited fine when it is sentenced on 20 May. One senior legal source said the penalty would run “into the millions”, depending on mitigation.
The guilty plea is believed to make Alton Towers the first major UK theme park where the owners have admitted a criminal breach of health and safety laws.The guilty plea is believed to make Alton Towers the first major UK theme park where the owners have admitted a criminal breach of health and safety laws.
A total of 16 people were injured when their carriage collided with an empty one on a low section of the ride, which can reach speeds of up to 50mph.A total of 16 people were injured when their carriage collided with an empty one on a low section of the ride, which can reach speeds of up to 50mph.
The five seriously injured were Vicky Balch, 21, and Daniel Thorpe, 28, from Buxton in Derbyshire; Leah Washington, 18, and Joe Pugh, 19, from Barnsley; and Chandaben Chauhan, 49, from Wednesbury, West Midlands.The five seriously injured were Vicky Balch, 21, and Daniel Thorpe, 28, from Buxton in Derbyshire; Leah Washington, 18, and Joe Pugh, 19, from Barnsley; and Chandaben Chauhan, 49, from Wednesbury, West Midlands.
Passengers were trapped more than 7 metres (20ft) from the ground at an angle of about 45 degrees before eventually being freed by emergency workers.Passengers were trapped more than 7 metres (20ft) from the ground at an angle of about 45 degrees before eventually being freed by emergency workers.
The Smiler reopened in March, nine months after the crash, prompting anger from Balch, who accused the theme park owner of putting “money before safety”. The Smiler reopened in March, nine months after the crash, prompting Balch to accused the theme park owner of putting “money before safety”.
After an internal investigation, Merlin Entertainments said in November that the crash was a result of human error because an operator decided to override a safety system.After an internal investigation, Merlin Entertainments said in November that the crash was a result of human error because an operator decided to override a safety system.
The five most seriously injured victims sat in the court’s public gallery for the short hearing. There was little reaction from them as the theme park entered its guilty plea.
In court, the company was alleged to have breached section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which states: “It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety.”In court, the company was alleged to have breached section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which states: “It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety.”
The entertainment group – which also owns Legoland, Madame Tussauds and the London Eye – said it overcame a fall in revenues at its theme parks to post an annual pre-tax profit rise of 0.3% to £250m in the year to 26 December. Asked by the court usher to enter a plea to the charge, Simon Antrobus, the barrister appearing for the firm, said: “I’m duly authorised by Merlin Attractions Limited to enter a guilty plea to the charge.”
Bernard Thoroughgood, counsel for the Health and Safety Executive, which brought the prosecution, told the court that the flagship rollercoaster “was not as safe as it should have been”.
He said the ride was “mechanically sound” but there was no proper procedure in place for staff in the event of an error.
“There was an absence of a proper solid system for the staff to work on in certain situations,” he said.
“On 2 June, although the computer control system was correctly showing ... [that] there was a static empty train, staff didn’t see it. There wasn’t a system they should follow to see it. They overrode the lock in the system and sent the train with some of those sitting in the public gallery around the ride.
“As a result those sitting on the train were injured when their train collided with the empty train. The injuries were life changing in many cases.”
Thoroughgood said the victims had submitted impact statements to the court in with they said their pain was “indescribable” and many said “my life and my family’s life has been turned upside down”.
The district judge John McGarva said Merlin may have to pay a “very large fine” and sent the case to Stafford crown court for a sentencing hearing.
Speaking outside the court, a lawyer for the victims said the guilty plea was “a milestone along the way to psychological rehabilitation”.Paul Paxton said: “Given that such serious injuries could be sustained on a fun day out, it is hardly surprising that a criminal offence was committed. However, it is comforting for the families that a plea of guilty has been entered rather than the victims having to endure a drawn out trial.
“Today is not seen as a victory; the families are not motivated by retribution, but inevitably this guilty plea will be a milestone along the way to psychological rehabilitation. Regrettably the physical recovery will be a lifelong process.”
Merlin – which also owns Legoland, Madame Tussauds and the London Eye – said it overcame a fall in revenues at its theme parks to post an annual pre-tax profit rise of 0.3% to £250m in the year to 26 December.
It said Alton Towers had a “significant” fall in visitor numbers after the accident, which resulted in the 200ha (500 acre) theme park in Staffordshire being shut down for four days.It said Alton Towers had a “significant” fall in visitor numbers after the accident, which resulted in the 200ha (500 acre) theme park in Staffordshire being shut down for four days.