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Alton Towers Smiler crash: Park 'shut until probe over' Alton Towers Smiler crash: Park 'shut until probe over'
(about 1 hour later)
Alton Towers will remain closed until the cause of a rollercoaster crash that left 16 people injured is discovered, the theme park's boss has said.Alton Towers will remain closed until the cause of a rollercoaster crash that left 16 people injured is discovered, the theme park's boss has said.
The Staffordshire attraction's gates are shut for a second day while the Health and Safety Executive investigates Tuesday's crash.The Staffordshire attraction's gates are shut for a second day while the Health and Safety Executive investigates Tuesday's crash.
Nick Varney, of Merlin Entertainments, which runs the park, said it could only reopen when they knew the problem was isolated to the rollercoaster.Nick Varney, of Merlin Entertainments, which runs the park, said it could only reopen when they knew the problem was isolated to the rollercoaster.
However, he did not give a time-frame. However, he did not give a time frame.
Two carriages collided at the park's £18m ride The Smiler at about 14:00 BST on Tuesday.Two carriages collided at the park's £18m ride The Smiler at about 14:00 BST on Tuesday.
The accident left people trapped 25ft (7.6m up) at an angle of 45 degrees for up to four-and-a-half hours.The accident left people trapped 25ft (7.6m up) at an angle of 45 degrees for up to four-and-a-half hours.
Writing in the Sun, Merlin Entertainments chief executive Mr Varney said: "At this point I don't know if it was a technological or a human error.Writing in the Sun, Merlin Entertainments chief executive Mr Varney said: "At this point I don't know if it was a technological or a human error.
"We want to know if this issue is isolated to The Smiler. We can't open again until we're sure.""We want to know if this issue is isolated to The Smiler. We can't open again until we're sure."
A total of 16 people were hurt, including Joe Pugh, 18, and his girlfriend Leah Washington, 17, both of Barnsley. A total of 16 people were hurt, including Joe Pugh, 18, and his girlfriend Leah Washington, 17, both from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and 27-year-old Daniel Thorpe from Buxton in Derbyshire.
They suffered serious injuries, along with a man aged 27 and a woman aged 19. They suffered serious injuries, along with a woman aged 19.
All four were airlifted to major trauma centres across the West Midlands.All four were airlifted to major trauma centres across the West Midlands.
Among those on board was Vanisha Singh, who was in the second row of the carriage with her mother Chanda, 49, and her sister Meera, 26. Mr Thorpe's father has said his son is being treated at Coventry hospital. A spokesperson for Royal Stoke University Hospital said it continues to treat the other three, "following serious injuries sustained in the incident at Alton Towers on Tuesday."
'It was terrifying' Among those on board The Smiler was Vanisha Singh, who was in the second row of the carriage with her mother Chanda, 49, and her sister Meera, 26.
She told the Sun there had been "technical difficulties" moments before they embarked on the fateful ride, as several test cars were sent ahead of them. She told the Sun there had been "technical difficulties" moments before they embarked on the ride, as several test cars were sent ahead of them.
"We finally went up and were kept at the top for 10 or 15 minutes chatting, joking that we were the guinea pigs," the 29-year-old said. 'Outside normal parameters'
Describing the crash, she added: "The metal safety bar smashed into our legs. There was loads of screaming. I felt a burning sensation in my pelvis, and back and neck pain. Paul Kelly, from the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA) said the industry was "shocked and devastated" by the news.
"It was terrifying. There was blood all over the floor because it was pouring out of their legs in the carriage and dropping down. The doctors and firemen were covered in blood as they scaled the scaffolding to treat the guys on the front row." "It's very rare and a lot of people are very upset. This is something which happened outside normal parameters."
Ms Singh, who was sitting behind Mr Pugh, a textile design student at the University of Huddersfield, said Miss Washington had to be given a blood transfusion and morphine before she passed out following the collision. Mr Kelly said the investigation into what happened would cover everything, including the people working the ride, the manufacturer's instructions, and the climactic conditions.
Witnesses described scenes of horror after the collision, with one victim's face covered in blood and others screaming in terror. He added: "I would like to reassure the public that theme parks are a very safe environment on a normal day out".
Jack Carver, 33, told reporters: "It was like a horror movie, hearing those screams. The rollercoaster, which has a world-record 14 loops, has been closed twice over safety concerns since opening two years ago.
"There was pure terror in their voices. It reminded me of Final Destination where the rollercoaster comes off the tracks. It was really scary."
The rollercoaster, which boasts a world record 14 loops, has been closed twice because of safety concerns since opening two years ago.
An Alton Towers spokesman said: "The decision has been taken that Alton Towers theme park will remain closed on Thursday following the incident on The Smiler.An Alton Towers spokesman said: "The decision has been taken that Alton Towers theme park will remain closed on Thursday following the incident on The Smiler.
"Guests with pre-booked tickets and those arriving at the theme park will have the choice of a full refund or an alternative dated ticket."Guests with pre-booked tickets and those arriving at the theme park will have the choice of a full refund or an alternative dated ticket.
"Guests with pre-booked tickets have the option to use their tickets tomorrow at an alternative attraction. See website for more info.""Guests with pre-booked tickets have the option to use their tickets tomorrow at an alternative attraction. See website for more info."
Were you at Alton Towers on Tuesday? Do you know anyone affected by the accident? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Were you at Alton Towers on Tuesday? Do you know anyone affected by the accident? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.