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Alton Towers Smiler crash: Four seriously hurt Alton Towers Smiler crash: Four seriously hurt
(35 minutes later)
Four teenagers have been seriously hurt in a crash between two carriages on a rollercoaster ride at Alton Towers.Four teenagers have been seriously hurt in a crash between two carriages on a rollercoaster ride at Alton Towers.
Sixteen people were in one carriage of the Smiler ride; the other was empty.Sixteen people were in one carriage of the Smiler ride; the other was empty.
West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) said the four, two girls and two boys, were trapped on the ride, about 25 feet (7.6m) above the ground.West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) said the four, two girls and two boys, were trapped on the ride, about 25 feet (7.6m) above the ground.
Alton Towers tweeted all guests involved had been evacuated. A director described it as "the most serious incident" in the park's history.Alton Towers tweeted all guests involved had been evacuated. A director described it as "the most serious incident" in the park's history.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing "screaming and shouting" and "a loud crash" when the crash happened at 14:09 BST.Eyewitnesses reported hearing "screaming and shouting" and "a loud crash" when the crash happened at 14:09 BST.
Eyewitness Ben Richardson said: "When the second carriage crashed people were screaming and shouting - even after it stopped. Everyone around the park ran over. Ben Richardson said: "When the second carriage crashed people were screaming and shouting - even after it stopped. Everyone around the park ran over.
"The people looked significantly distressed. It was almost like a car crash, very full-on.""The people looked significantly distressed. It was almost like a car crash, very full-on."
Two women have already been taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital for treatment.Two women have already been taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital for treatment.
Others have been treated at Alton Towers and hospital trauma team consultants are working on site.Others have been treated at Alton Towers and hospital trauma team consultants are working on site.
Sophie Underwood, who was in the park at the time, said: "It wasn't very high but it was obviously high enough for them to cause some quite serious injuries to the people that were on the rollercoaster.Sophie Underwood, who was in the park at the time, said: "It wasn't very high but it was obviously high enough for them to cause some quite serious injuries to the people that were on the rollercoaster.
"They literally had come back off and round the back of a loop, and straight into another empty coach that had been stuck."They literally had come back off and round the back of a loop, and straight into another empty coach that had been stuck.
"There was a big crash, and I think there were quite a few people that were angry because they said that they had told the staff that the coach before had stopped but they hadn't actually called through.""There was a big crash, and I think there were quite a few people that were angry because they said that they had told the staff that the coach before had stopped but they hadn't actually called through."
The Smiler opened in May 2013 and is billed as the world's first 14-loop rollercoaster.The Smiler opened in May 2013 and is billed as the world's first 14-loop rollercoaster.
It holds the official Guinness World Record for most loops in a rollercoaster, according to the Alton Towers website.It holds the official Guinness World Record for most loops in a rollercoaster, according to the Alton Towers website.
The resort claims it features "a series of twisted psychological effects including optical illusions, blinding lights and near misses designed to mess with your mind".The resort claims it features "a series of twisted psychological effects including optical illusions, blinding lights and near misses designed to mess with your mind".
There have been several accidents and incidents involving the £18m ride since it opened in May 2013.There have been several accidents and incidents involving the £18m ride since it opened in May 2013.
History of problemsHistory of problems
'Loud crash''Loud crash'
Ellis Dyson, 23, who was in the queue for the ride, added: "The ride was delayed because of a technical fault for a while and then the ride came back on.Ellis Dyson, 23, who was in the queue for the ride, added: "The ride was delayed because of a technical fault for a while and then the ride came back on.
"They sent a carriage without any people on it first and then sent a carriage with people on and that was the one that crashed. The platform of the ride where we were vibrated and a massive loud crash.""They sent a carriage without any people on it first and then sent a carriage with people on and that was the one that crashed. The platform of the ride where we were vibrated and a massive loud crash."
Visitors reported on social media that the ride had broken down earlier in the day.Visitors reported on social media that the ride had broken down earlier in the day.
Lucy Farrugia said: "Smiler broke down when I was on it this morning and now it's crashed. Hope everyone on it is OK, saw the air ambulance arrive."Lucy Farrugia said: "Smiler broke down when I was on it this morning and now it's crashed. Hope everyone on it is OK, saw the air ambulance arrive."
Merlin Entertainment said there would be a "full investigation" and the Health and Safety Executive were already on site.Merlin Entertainment said there would be a "full investigation" and the Health and Safety Executive were already on site.
Ian Crabbe, divisional director of the Alton Towers Resort, said it was "the most serious incident" he had seen in the history of the park. He said the priority was to get the remaining people safely off the ride.
The company was the biggest faller on the FTSE 100 after the crash, with shares down 3%.The company was the biggest faller on the FTSE 100 after the crash, with shares down 3%.
It is the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator behind Disney and runs 105 attractions, 11 hotels and three holiday villages in 23 countries.It is the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator behind Disney and runs 105 attractions, 11 hotels and three holiday villages in 23 countries.
A help-line for concerned relatives has been set up by the Park which is 0800 230 0770.A help-line for concerned relatives has been set up by the Park which is 0800 230 0770.
Alton TowersAlton Towers
Alton Towers is located near the village of Alton in Staffordshire and used to be a country estate.Alton Towers is located near the village of Alton in Staffordshire and used to be a country estate.
It originally became a tourist attraction because of its gardens, but travelling fun fair rides were added to the grounds in the 1950s.It originally became a tourist attraction because of its gardens, but travelling fun fair rides were added to the grounds in the 1950s.
The installation of the Corkscrew rollercoaster in 1980 is regarded as a key point in the development of Alton Towers into a major theme park.The installation of the Corkscrew rollercoaster in 1980 is regarded as a key point in the development of Alton Towers into a major theme park.
It now has some of the UK's best known rollercoasters - including Nemesis, Oblivion, Air and Rita - and attracts millions of visitors every year.It now has some of the UK's best known rollercoasters - including Nemesis, Oblivion, Air and Rita - and attracts millions of visitors every year.
Are you at Alton Towers? Have you been affected by what's happened? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you would be happy to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number when emailing us your details.Are you at Alton Towers? Have you been affected by what's happened? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you would be happy to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number when emailing us your details.
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