Four guests sustained serious leg injuries after two trains collided on the park’s two year old thrill coaster The Smiler. 16 people were on one train, which collided with another empty train which had stalled on what is commonly known as the “Staffordshire Knot” section of the ride at around 2pm this afternoon (2nd June 2015).
Emergency services were on the scene, and specialist teams worked to free guests off the ride. Four air ambulances were also in attendance, two of which remained after the park closed to guests for the day. The part of the track where the ride has stopped is at a 45 degree angle, making rescue especially difficult. A platform underneath the ride and a fire service platform positioned next to the ride allowed rescue teams access. All guests have since been removed from the ride and either taken to hospital or discharged from the scene.
The four seriously injured guests were airlifted to nearby hospitals. One other guest with neck and abdominal injuries was taken to hospital via road ambulance. One of these guests has since been discharged from hospital.
Many media outlets have covered this story, with several news vehicles parked near the park gates as the park closed for the evening. Nick Varney CEO of Merlin Entertainments arrived via helicopter to assist with the investigation into the incident, and has been giving press interviews throughout the evening. Many enthusiasts have praised the response of the resort, as they have continued with an active social media presence to try and keep guests informed.
The park will now remain closed on Wednesday 3rd June and Thursday 4th June whilst the resort and the Health and Safety Executive investigate the issue. Further updates on when the park will reopen will be communicated by Alton Towers via their Facebook and Twitter accounts. We’ll also update this article as information is released. Those with pre-booked tickets or that arrive on the day will be entitled to a refund or may have their tickets revalidated for another day in the season.
Any guest with a pre-booked ticket may also use their tickets at other Merlin attractions; Warwick Castle, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures or LEGOLAND Windsor if they present their Alton Towers ticket at admission kiosks.
Statements about the incident
Merlin, Alton Towers and emergency responders have released a number of statements since the incident:
Alton Towers
“The decision has been taken that Alton Towers theme park will not open tomorrow Wednesday 3rd June following the dreadful incident on The Smiler today. All guests with pre-booked tickets, or those who arrive at the theme park, will have the choice of either having their tickets revalidated for an alternative date or a full refund.
We will be posting regular updates on the theme park closure on both our website and social media channels.”
Merlin Entertainments
“There has been an incident on the Smiler this afternoon involving two carriages coming together on a low section of the track. One of the carriages was empty and the other had 16 guests in.
The Resort’s fully qualified First Responders were on the scene immediately to assist with the evacuation which is ongoing, and the area has been closed to allow for access to emergency services vehicles. To ensure the safe and timely evacuation of guests a platform is being constructed. This will take a few minutes but will enable us to proceed more quickly.
There will be a full investigation once we have recovered the guests who are our priority.”
Alton Towers Divisional Director, Ian Crabbe
“May I first say that my colleagues and I are devastated by what has happened here today, and our only priority at this time is to work with the emergency services to get the 16 people affected off the ride safely, and most importantly those who are injured are being cared for. Our concern is with and for them and for their safety, and all our thoughts and efforts are focused on them.”
“Just to recap at around 2pm this afternoon there was an incident on the Smiler ride involving two carriages coming together on a low section of the track. One of the carriages was empty and the other had 16 guests in.”
“A full investigation is underway, and representatives of the Health and Safety Executive are already on site and working with us. But as I said our absolute priority at the moment is to ensure that all the guests affected are safely off the ride and are being cared for. ”
West Midlands Ambulance Service
“Two males (18 years and 27 years) and two females (19 years and 17 years) sustained lower leg injuries. All four were given advanced trauma care, pain relief and immobilisation and were each carefully extricated from the ride and onto the platform before being lowered to the ground.
“The 27 years ole male was then airlifted to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire whilst the others were flown to Royal Stoke University Hospital for further emergency treatment.
“The remaining 12 occupants, six women and six men, suffered less serious injuries. They were released one at a time over a time period of four hours and lowered to the ground in order for a further assessment of their condition. One of the twelve, a male in his 20s was treated for neck and abdominal injury and was taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital by land ambulance for further assessment and treatment.”
Merlin Entertainments CEO, Nick Varney
A shaken Nice Varney spoke live on Sky News about today’s incident. He said that it was his decision to close the park tomorrow (Wednesday 3rd June), adding “I and the whole team here are totally devastated and a little bit shell shocked by what’s happened, our thoughts are obviously with those that are injured and their families”.
He pointed out that “tens of millions of people ride roller coasters around the world every day” and that “technically it should be impossible for two cars to be on the same section of track at the same time” and that they along with the Health and Safety Executive would need to look into how that occurred.
“All rides, particularly when they are new, have technical glitches but sitting on a roller coaster car attached to a track to which it cannot come off and you have shoulder restraints that cannot come unlocked is a very safe place” Varney concluded, and “reports that there were technical glitches on the ride this morning are ones we have to look into and at this moment in time I have no idea if they were related to the final accident or not.”
HSE Head of Operations for Midlands, Neil Craig
“We will want to determine that those responsible for operating this ride have done what the law requires. We will also ensure that if there are any lessons to be learned they are shared as soon as possible.
“Although the investigation is in its early stages, we will take action to protect the public if we uncover evidence that could affect the safety of other rides at the park or elsewhere.”
A number of images were also released by West Midlands Ambulance Service from the scene:
Our forums contain extensive discussion about today’s incident, and we’ll be sure to keep you updated with news of park opening and the progress of the investigation.
