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Alton Towers Smiler crash: Theme park admits 999 call delay Alton Towers Smiler crash: Theme park admits 999 call delay
(35 minutes later)
Emergency services were not called until 11 minutes after the Alton Towers rollercoaster crash, it has emerged.Emergency services were not called until 11 minutes after the Alton Towers rollercoaster crash, it has emerged.
Theme park bosses were informed of the accident on Tuesday at 13:57 BST but the 999 call was not made until 14:08.Theme park bosses were informed of the accident on Tuesday at 13:57 BST but the 999 call was not made until 14:08.
A first responder based at Alton Towers was first on the scene at 1409, with crews from the West Midlands Ambulance Service arriving at 1435. Alton Towers said one of its first responders was on the scene at 1409 and security staff would have called 999 as soon as an assessment had been made.
Sixteen people were hurt, including four seriously, when the Smiler ride crashed.Sixteen people were hurt, including four seriously, when the Smiler ride crashed.
The fire service was called by ambulance crews at 14:41. Crews from the West Midlands Ambulance Service arrived on the scene at 1435 and they called the fire service at 14:41.
Fire crews were not initially requested by Alton Towers but the park's staff did put their own call in requesting their assistance at 14:45.Fire crews were not initially requested by Alton Towers but the park's staff did put their own call in requesting their assistance at 14:45.
In a statement, Alton Towers said: "Our community first responders, based on site at Alton Towers, are trained by West Midlands Ambulance Service and form part of our security and medical teams.
"Once the incident occurred, a member of the ride staff would have called our first responders who arrived at the scene within minutes.
"After instant assessment they call our security department who then call 999 straight away."
The crash saw two carriages collide on the £18m ride, leaving people trapped 25ft (7.6m up) at an angle of 45 degrees for up to four-and-a-half hours.
Alton Towers said its staff had to built a platform to reach the injured people.
The park will remain closed on Friday while the Health and Safety Executive continues its investigation.