Alton Towers owner Merlin to face court over Smiler rollercoaster crash

Emergency services work to free people trapped on the crashed Smiler ride at Alton Towers
Sky News
Hatty Collier22 April 2016
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The owner of Alton Towers is due to appear in court today accused of breaching health and safety rules over the rollercoaster crash that left five people seriously injured.

Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd will appear at North Staffordshire Justice Centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme charged with breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Victoria Balch and Leah Washington had legs amputated and three others suffered life-changing injuries after the crash on the theme park’s Smiler ride in June last year.

Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 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 prosecution has been brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Hurt in the crash: Joe Pugh and Leah Washington
Facebook

Sixteen people were injured in the smash on a low section of the ride – the world’s first 14-loop rollercoaster, which can reach speeds of up to 50mph.

Those most badly hurt were Miss Balch and Daniel Thorpe, from Buxton in Derbyshire, Miss Washington and Joe Pugh, from Barnsley, and Chandaben Chauhan, from Wednesbury, West Midlands.

The 500-acre theme park in Staffordshire was shut for four days following the crash while The Smiler reopened in March this year.

Injuries: Victoria Balch had her right leg amputated (Picture: Facebook)
Facebook

In a statement issued after the HSE announced its intention to prosecute in February, Merlin said: "We have co-operated fully with the Health and Safety Executive throughout their investigation while continuing to support those who were injured in the accident.

"The company completed its own investigation and published the results in November, accepting responsibility for what happened.

"We have also kept the HSE fully informed of the subsequent actions that we have taken to ensure that something like this cannot happen again."

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