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Alton Towers Smiler crash: Four rollercoasters shut Alton Towers Smiler crash: Four rollercoasters shut
(35 minutes later)
Four rollercoasters at three theme parks have been shut after a crash at Alton Towers in which 16 people were injured, four seriously.Four rollercoasters at three theme parks have been shut after a crash at Alton Towers in which 16 people were injured, four seriously.
The Smiler, which crashed, and Saw, a similar ride at Thorpe Park, would both be shut "for the foreseeable future", owner Merlin Entertainments said.The Smiler, which crashed, and Saw, a similar ride at Thorpe Park, would both be shut "for the foreseeable future", owner Merlin Entertainments said.
Two rides at Chessington World of Adventures have also been closed until new safety protocols have been applied.Two rides at Chessington World of Adventures have also been closed until new safety protocols have been applied.
Alton Towers said it planned to reopen in the next few days. Alton Towers said the park would be closed again on Saturday.
Dragon's Fury and Rattlesnake have been closed at the Chessington park in Surrey, while Thorpe Park's Saw - also in Surrey - has been shut since the crash.Dragon's Fury and Rattlesnake have been closed at the Chessington park in Surrey, while Thorpe Park's Saw - also in Surrey - has been shut since the crash.
A prohibition notice has been served on the Smiler ride by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors, stopping its use "until action is taken to deal with the cause of the failure".
'Devastating experience''Devastating experience'
Two carriages crashed on the Smiler ride at the Staffordshire theme park on Tuesday, leaving some passengers trapped for four-and-a-half hours. Two carriages crashed on Tuesday, leaving some passengers trapped for four-and-a-half hours.
Two men, 27 and 18, a woman, 19, and a girl, 17, have suffered serious leg injuries and remain in hospital.Two men, 27 and 18, a woman, 19, and a girl, 17, have suffered serious leg injuries and remain in hospital.
Chief executive of Merlin Entertainments Nick Varney said: "Whilst the investigation into the causes is continuing, we have identified a series of additional safety protocols that we are implementing immediately across our multi-car rollercoasters. Chief executive of Merlin Entertainments Nick Varney, said: "Whilst the investigation into the causes is continuing, we have identified a series of additional safety protocols that we are implementing immediately across our multi-car rollercoasters.
"This has been a devastating experience, and we are committed to learning the lessons from it.""This has been a devastating experience, and we are committed to learning the lessons from it."
A Chessington spokeswoman said its two rides were safe, but staff working on them needed further training before they could be reopened. Bosses hope to re-open Alton Towers in the "next few days".
She said it was hoped this would take a few days. They have estimated the park has been losing up to £500,000 a day since Tuesday.
Merlin Entertainments said it was issuing an "additional set of safety protocols and procedures that will reinforce the safe operation of our multi-car rollercoasters" which were "effective immediately". A Chessington spokeswoman said its two rides were safe, but staff working on them needed further training before they could be reopened, which she hoped would not take more than a few days.
It said it had "a strong safety record at Alton Towers and across the Merlin Group". An "additional set of safety protocols and procedures that will reinforce the safe operation of our multi-car rollercoasters" has been implemented and was "effective immediately", Merlin said.
It said it was co-operating fully with the HSE and intended to complete a "thorough appraisal" of its safety processes at Alton Towers "in the near future".
The HSE said carriages involved in the Smiler crash would be removed later and taken to its laboratory in Buxton for further analysis.
It said the prohibition notice did not affect other rides at Alton Towers.