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Alton Towers Smiler crash: Park reopens Alton Towers Smiler crash: Park reopens
(35 minutes later)
Alton Towers has reopened following a rollercoaster crash which left 16 people injured.Alton Towers has reopened following a rollercoaster crash which left 16 people injured.
Two carriages on the Smiler ride collided on Tuesday, causing serious leg injuries to the two men and two women on the front row.Two carriages on the Smiler ride collided on Tuesday, causing serious leg injuries to the two men and two women on the front row.
A fifth person, a 49-year-old woman, is being treated in hospital for internal injuries, it has emerged.A fifth person, a 49-year-old woman, is being treated in hospital for internal injuries, it has emerged.
Owners Merlin Entertainments Ltd said it had carried out "a thorough review" of operating and safety procedures.Owners Merlin Entertainments Ltd said it had carried out "a thorough review" of operating and safety procedures.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors have also been on site.Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors have also been on site.
From the scene: Trystan Jones, BBC News Online
The queues at the entrance to Alton Towers could be measured in the dozens, rather than hundreds soon after the gates opened at 10:00 BST.
The car parks also looked pretty empty, although it was early in the day. Nobody I spoke to was worried about safety and a couple said they would be happy to ride the Smiler if it had been open.
One couple told me there was far more chance of having an accident on the way to the park than at it. Another family said it was a good day to visit as queues for rides would not be long.
I spoke to two visitors who used to work at the park. They said safety was really strict, with operators having to complete hours of training before being allowed to operate rides. On some rides operators even have to complete written exams, they said.
A number of people who had pre-booked tickets for Monday have said they will not now attend.A number of people who had pre-booked tickets for Monday have said they will not now attend.
Student Louise Riley, who had planned to visit Alton Towers with a group of friends, said they did not want to feel "like guinea pigs" on the first day since the accident.Student Louise Riley, who had planned to visit Alton Towers with a group of friends, said they did not want to feel "like guinea pigs" on the first day since the accident.
"We're quite a bit nervous that other rides have been closed as well," she said. "It makes you question the safety of all the rides.""We're quite a bit nervous that other rides have been closed as well," she said. "It makes you question the safety of all the rides."
Analysis: Peter Wilson, BBC correspondent
I've spoken to Meera Singh, who's 26, and was sitting on the Smiler's second row, with her 49-year-old mother Chanda and her 29-year-old sister Vanisha.
She said what they witnessed that day they will never forget for the rest of their lives.
Amazingly, they just got into a taxi after being cut out of the Smiler, as they just wanted to go home.
Later, they went to the Manor Hospital, in Walsall, where Chanda Singh is being treated for serious injuries, including internal bleeding. She's had surgery to her stomach, and has a damaged liver and blood clots.
Meera Singh, though, said the family just felt lucky to be alive.
Merlin Entertainments Ltd Chief Executive Nick Varney said Tuesday's crash was the first accident in the company's history and it had introduced extra safety measures at its theme parks.Merlin Entertainments Ltd Chief Executive Nick Varney said Tuesday's crash was the first accident in the company's history and it had introduced extra safety measures at its theme parks.
Alton Towers has said anyone with pre-booked tickets could get a full refund if they did not want to visit.Alton Towers has said anyone with pre-booked tickets could get a full refund if they did not want to visit.
Last week, a number of bed and breakfasts in the nearby village of Alton said people had cancelled bookings in the wake of the crash.Last week, a number of bed and breakfasts in the nearby village of Alton said people had cancelled bookings in the wake of the crash.
They said news that the park was reopening has prompted visitors to get in touch and they were "fairly full" for the next few weeks.They said news that the park was reopening has prompted visitors to get in touch and they were "fairly full" for the next few weeks.
Mr Varney said Tuesday's crash had been "a terrible event for everyone involved".Mr Varney said Tuesday's crash had been "a terrible event for everyone involved".
"We are very aware of the impact it will have on those involved and we are doing all we can to provide our support to those injured and their families," he said."We are very aware of the impact it will have on those involved and we are doing all we can to provide our support to those injured and their families," he said.
The park "closed immediately" afterwards, he added, to allow preliminary investigations and give staff "time to come to terms with the [crash] and its aftermath".The park "closed immediately" afterwards, he added, to allow preliminary investigations and give staff "time to come to terms with the [crash] and its aftermath".
"Alton Towers has a long record of safe operation and as we reopen, we are committed to ensuring that the public can again visit us with confidence.""Alton Towers has a long record of safe operation and as we reopen, we are committed to ensuring that the public can again visit us with confidence."
Two more rides at Alton Towers will remain closed on Monday, Mr Varney said.Two more rides at Alton Towers will remain closed on Monday, Mr Varney said.
The X-Sector of the theme park - which houses the Smiler, Enterprise and Oblivion rides - will remain shut until further notice, as part of the HSE investigation.The X-Sector of the theme park - which houses the Smiler, Enterprise and Oblivion rides - will remain shut until further notice, as part of the HSE investigation.
The Spinball ride will also be closed until enhanced safety protocols have been implemented.The Spinball ride will also be closed until enhanced safety protocols have been implemented.
Mr Varney said the design of the ride meant it would take slightly longer than it was hoped for new procedures to be put in place.Mr Varney said the design of the ride meant it would take slightly longer than it was hoped for new procedures to be put in place.
Two rides currently closed at Merlin-owned Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures, both in Surrey, are expected to reopen soon.Two rides currently closed at Merlin-owned Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures, both in Surrey, are expected to reopen soon.
A prohibition notice has been served which prevents the Smiler being operated until "action is taken to deal with the cause of the failure".A prohibition notice has been served which prevents the Smiler being operated until "action is taken to deal with the cause of the failure".
It does not affect other rides at the park.It does not affect other rides at the park.
Earlier, it emerged the two carriages which collided had been removed by the HSE to be examined in a laboratory.Earlier, it emerged the two carriages which collided had been removed by the HSE to be examined in a laboratory.
The two men and two women seriously hurt in the crash all suffered significant leg injuries.The two men and two women seriously hurt in the crash all suffered significant leg injuries.
Vicky Balch, from Leyland in Lancashire, has undergone surgery but is not in a life-threatening condition, as was previously thought, lawyers representing her said on Saturday.Vicky Balch, from Leyland in Lancashire, has undergone surgery but is not in a life-threatening condition, as was previously thought, lawyers representing her said on Saturday.
Her lawyer Paul Paxton said the family was considering legal action against the theme park, but their main focus at the moment was on her recovery.Her lawyer Paul Paxton said the family was considering legal action against the theme park, but their main focus at the moment was on her recovery.
It is thought Daniel Thorpe, 27, from Buxton, Derbyshire, underwent surgery on Thursday. The BBC understands he suffered a collapsed lung and fractured leg.It is thought Daniel Thorpe, 27, from Buxton, Derbyshire, underwent surgery on Thursday. The BBC understands he suffered a collapsed lung and fractured leg.
Joe Pugh, 18, of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and his girlfriend, Leah Washington, 17, are understood to have been receiving treatment at the Royal Stoke University Hospital.Joe Pugh, 18, of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and his girlfriend, Leah Washington, 17, are understood to have been receiving treatment at the Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Are you planning to visit Alton Towers now it has reopened? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you planning to visit Alton Towers now it has reopened? You can share your experiences by emailing 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.If you would be happy to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number when emailing us your details.