This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-37471624

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Alton Towers sentencing: Bosses warned to expect large fine Alton Towers sentencing: 'Operator Merlin at fault'
(about 1 hour later)
A sentencing hearing has started for Alton Towers bosses following the Smiler rollercoaster crash. Alton Towers operator Merlin was at fault for the Smiler rollercoaster crash, a court has heard.
Two teenagers were left needing leg amputations and several other victims suffered serious injuries in the accident in June 2015.Two teenagers were left needing leg amputations and several other victims suffered serious injuries in the accident in June 2015.
An investigation found human error caused the crash, which saw a carriage smash into an empty car.An investigation found human error caused the crash, which saw a carriage smash into an empty car.
Operator Merlin Attractions has been warned to expect a "very large fine" for health and safety breaches.Operator Merlin Attractions has been warned to expect a "very large fine" for health and safety breaches.
Live updates: Follow the latest hereLive updates: Follow the latest here
Two women, Victoria Balch and Leah Washington, had legs amputated after the crash. Opening the sentencing hearing at Stafford Crown Court, barrister Bernard Thorogood, prosecuting for the Health and Safety Executive, said the kinetic energy involved in the crash was equivalent to "a family car of 1.5 tons having collided at about 90mph".
An investigation by the park found staff misunderstood a shutdown message and wrongly restarted the ride. He said a test carriage had been sent around the 14-loop ride but had failed.
The sentencing hearing, which has been listed for two days, is taking place at Stafford Crown Court. 'Fault with employers'
Engineers re-set the ride and overrode a computer system "block-stop" which they believed had halted the ride in error, sending a full 16-seater rollercoaster car around the track and into the empty carriage.
Mr Thorogood said that the "fault here is with the employers", not individuals.
He said the engineers were "without guidance from above", and had not been given a system to follow to safely deal with the problem on the track.
"The fault is with the defendant for not devising a scheme, for not guiding the work of the engineers," he said.
Among those who attended the first day were Victoria Balch and Leah Washington, who had legs amputated after the crash.
Wind speeds
Mr Thorogood said the victims were left for a "significant period of time" at least 20ft (6m) above ground, waiting for medical attention because of the inaccessibility of the ride.
The hearing also heard how there were estimated winds on the day of 45mph. But the manufacturer's manual said the ride should not be operated at speeds above 34 mph.
The Recorder of Stafford, Judge Michael Chambers QC, is set to hear mitigation from Merlin, based in Poole, Dorset, before passing sentence.
In April the operator admitted charges of breaching the Health and Safety Act. An investigation by the park found staff misunderstood a shutdown message and wrongly restarted the ride.