This article is from the source 'independent' 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.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/alton-towers-crash-owner-to-be-prosecuted-smiler-health-service-executive-a6895021.html
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Alton Towers owner to be prosecuted over Smiler crash that injured five | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The owner of Alton Towers is to be prosecuted over the rollercoaster accident in which five people were injured, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced. | The owner of Alton Towers is to be prosecuted over the rollercoaster accident in which five people were injured, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced. |
| The crash on the Smiler ride on 2 June last year saw two women, Victoria Balch and Leah Washington, forced to have legs amputated. | The crash on the Smiler ride on 2 June last year saw two women, Victoria Balch and Leah Washington, forced to have legs amputated. |
| After an investigation, operator Merlin Entertainment said the crash, which saw a carriage carrying 16 people crash into an empty carriage on the track, was the result of "human error". | After an investigation, operator Merlin Entertainment said the crash, which saw a carriage carrying 16 people crash into an empty carriage on the track, was the result of "human error". |
| On Thursday morning, the HSE issued a statement saying Merlin would appear at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre in April on a charge of breaching health and safety law. | On Thursday morning, the HSE issued a statement saying Merlin would appear at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre in April on a charge of breaching health and safety law. |
| Neil Craig, head of operations for HSE in the Midlands said: "This was a serious incident with life-changing consequences for five people. | Neil Craig, head of operations for HSE in the Midlands said: "This was a serious incident with life-changing consequences for five people. |
| "We have conducted a very thorough investigation and consider that there is sufficient evidence and that it is in the public interest to bring a prosecution." | "We have conducted a very thorough investigation and consider that there is sufficient evidence and that it is in the public interest to bring a prosecution." |
| The accident, which saw three other people seriously injured, saw a sharp fall in visitor numbers to the theme park. | |
| Despite that, and a four-day shut down of the park as a whole while the crash was investigated, Merlin Entertainments recorded a slight increase in annual profits in the year to 26 December. | |
| A spokesperson for Alton Towers has been contacted for comment by The Independent. |