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| Alton Towers Smiler crash: Park to reopen | Alton Towers Smiler crash: Park to reopen |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Alton Towers is to reopen for the first time since a rollercoaster crash left 16 people injured, its owners have announced. | Alton Towers is to reopen for the first time since a rollercoaster crash left 16 people injured, its owners have announced. |
| The park will open its gates from 10:00 BST on Monday, six days after two carriages on the Smiler ride collided. | The park will open its gates from 10:00 BST on Monday, six days after two carriages on the Smiler ride collided. |
| It is understood four people hurt in the crash are being treated in hospital for serious leg injuries. | It is understood four people hurt in the crash are being treated in hospital for serious leg injuries. |
| Owners Merlin Entertainments Ltd said it had carried out "a thorough review" of operating and safety procedures. | Owners Merlin Entertainments Ltd said it had carried out "a thorough review" of operating and safety procedures. |
| And Health and Safety Executive inspectors have also been on site. | And Health and Safety Executive inspectors have also been on site. |
| Merlin Entertainments Ltd chief executive Nick Varney said it had been "a terrible event for everyone involved". | Merlin Entertainments Ltd chief executive Nick Varney said it had been "a terrible event for everyone involved". |
| "We are very aware of the impact it will have on those involved and we are doing all we can to provide our support to those injured and their families," he said. | "We are very aware of the impact it will have on those involved and we are doing all we can to provide our support to those injured and their families," he said. |
| The park "closed immediately" afterwards, he added, to allow preliminary investigations and give staff "time to come to terms with the [crash] and its aftermath". | The park "closed immediately" afterwards, he added, to allow preliminary investigations and give staff "time to come to terms with the [crash] and its aftermath". |
| "Alton Towers has a long record of safe operation and as we reopen, we are committed to ensuring that the public can again visit us with confidence." | |
| Two more rides at Alton Towers will remain closed, Mr Varney said. | Two more rides at Alton Towers will remain closed, Mr Varney said. |
| The X-Sector of the theme park - which houses The Smiler - will remain closed until further notice, and the Spinball ride will be closed until enhanced safety protocols have been implemented. | The X-Sector of the theme park - which houses The Smiler - will remain closed until further notice, and the Spinball ride will be closed until enhanced safety protocols have been implemented. |
| Mr Varney said the design of the ride meant it would take slightly longer than it was hoped for new procedures to be put in place. | Mr Varney said the design of the ride meant it would take slightly longer than it was hoped for new procedures to be put in place. |
| Two rides currently closed at Merlin-owned Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures, both in Surrey, are expected to reopen soon. | |
| A prohibition notice has been served which prevents the Smiler being operated until "action is taken to deal with the cause of the failure". | A prohibition notice has been served which prevents the Smiler being operated until "action is taken to deal with the cause of the failure". |
| It does not affect other rides at the park. | It does not affect other rides at the park. |
| Earlier, it emerged the two carriages which collided had been removed by the HSE to be examined in a laboratory. | Earlier, it emerged the two carriages which collided had been removed by the HSE to be examined in a laboratory. |
| The two men and two women seriously hurt in the crash all suffered significant leg injuries. | The two men and two women seriously hurt in the crash all suffered significant leg injuries. |
| Vicky Balch, from Leyland in Lancashire, has undergone surgery but is not in a life-threatening condition, as was previously thought, lawyers representing her said on Saturday. | Vicky Balch, from Leyland in Lancashire, has undergone surgery but is not in a life-threatening condition, as was previously thought, lawyers representing her said on Saturday. |
| It is thought Daniel Thorpe, 27, from Buxton, Derbyshire, underwent surgery on Thursday. | It is thought Daniel Thorpe, 27, from Buxton, Derbyshire, underwent surgery on Thursday. |
| Joe Pugh, 18, of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and his girlfriend, Leah Washington, 17, are understood to have been receiving treatment at University Hospital Coventry. | Joe Pugh, 18, of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and his girlfriend, Leah Washington, 17, are understood to have been receiving treatment at University Hospital Coventry. |