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| Alton Towers to partially reopen as litigation over rollercoaster crash begins | |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| Alton Towers is to reopen on Monday following the rollercoaster crash that has prompted calls for heightened safety reviews at all UK theme parks ahead of the busy summer season. | Alton Towers is to reopen on Monday following the rollercoaster crash that has prompted calls for heightened safety reviews at all UK theme parks ahead of the busy summer season. |
| The site’s owner Merlin Entertainments has closed down three rollercoasters at two other amusement parks as it deals with the fallout from last Tuesday’s collision, which left four people seriously injured. | The site’s owner Merlin Entertainments has closed down three rollercoasters at two other amusement parks as it deals with the fallout from last Tuesday’s collision, which left four people seriously injured. |
| Dr Tony Cox, a former Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advisory committee chairman, said there needed to be a review of practice at amusement parks after the worst accident in Alton Towers’ 35-year history. | Dr Tony Cox, a former Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advisory committee chairman, said there needed to be a review of practice at amusement parks after the worst accident in Alton Towers’ 35-year history. |
| “I would be amazed if [theme park owners] weren’t using their industry contacts to find out what had happened as far as they possibly can,” he said. | “I would be amazed if [theme park owners] weren’t using their industry contacts to find out what had happened as far as they possibly can,” he said. |
| Related: Three more rollercoasters shut down at parks run by Alton Towers owner | Related: Three more rollercoasters shut down at parks run by Alton Towers owner |
| The park will reopen at 10am although the £18m Smiler ride will be closed “for the foreseeable future” on the orders of the HSE, which on Friday moved the two carriages involved in the crash to its laboratory in Buxton, Derbyshire, for further investigation. | The park will reopen at 10am although the £18m Smiler ride will be closed “for the foreseeable future” on the orders of the HSE, which on Friday moved the two carriages involved in the crash to its laboratory in Buxton, Derbyshire, for further investigation. |
| Nick Varney, chief executive of Merlin Entertainments, said: “The accident last Tuesday was 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. | Nick Varney, chief executive of Merlin Entertainments, said: “The accident last Tuesday was 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. |
| “We closed the park immediately whilst preliminary investigations took place and to give our staff time to come to terms with the accident and its aftermath. In recent days our management team have been engaged in a thorough review of our operating and safety procedures before making this decision. | “We closed the park immediately whilst preliminary investigations took place and to give our staff time to come to terms with the accident and its aftermath. In recent days our management team have been engaged in a thorough review of our operating and safety procedures before making this decision. |
| “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.” |
| A spokesman for the park said that said that X-Sector, the high-octane section of that park where the Smiler is based, would remain closed until further notice. Another ride, Spinball, will stay closed until “enhanced safety protocols” are introduced, the theme park said. | A spokesman for the park said that said that X-Sector, the high-octane section of that park where the Smiler is based, would remain closed until further notice. Another ride, Spinball, will stay closed until “enhanced safety protocols” are introduced, the theme park said. |
| This week Alton Towers’s legal team are due to meet lawyers acting for student Victoria Balch, 20, who underwent surgery at the weekend after sustaining serious leg injuries in the 20mph collision. | This week Alton Towers’s legal team are due to meet lawyers acting for student Victoria Balch, 20, who underwent surgery at the weekend after sustaining serious leg injuries in the 20mph collision. |
| Paul Paxton, a partner at Stewarts Law, said he would be claiming substantial damages to help Balch recover from her potentially life-changing injuries. A spokeswoman for the law firm said on Sunday that they were “keen to get discussions on the go as soon as possible”, but no date had yet been set for the meeting. | Paul Paxton, a partner at Stewarts Law, said he would be claiming substantial damages to help Balch recover from her potentially life-changing injuries. A spokeswoman for the law firm said on Sunday that they were “keen to get discussions on the go as soon as possible”, but no date had yet been set for the meeting. |
| Merlin Entertainments, which has already lost a reported £3m since closing its doors last Tuesday, could face a hefty legal bill over the accident, which came as millions of thrill-seekers planned to visit theme parks over the busy summer holiday season. | Merlin Entertainments, which has already lost a reported £3m since closing its doors last Tuesday, could face a hefty legal bill over the accident, which came as millions of thrill-seekers planned to visit theme parks over the busy summer holiday season. |
| Cox, the former HSE advisory committee chairman, said the full details of what caused the crash may only be known once litigation begins. However, he said other major UK theme parks would be examining the case and considering reviewing their own safety protocols. | Cox, the former HSE advisory committee chairman, said the full details of what caused the crash may only be known once litigation begins. However, he said other major UK theme parks would be examining the case and considering reviewing their own safety protocols. |
| Asked whether there should be an industry-wide safety review, he said: “Certainly, there does. Anyone who is operating rides like that [the Smiler], they know each other as rivals and competitors and they know each other from their participation in various sector-related bodies that deal with all aspects of that business, including safety. Within those circles, there will be huge interest from all of them about what has happened [at Alton Towers],” he said. | Asked whether there should be an industry-wide safety review, he said: “Certainly, there does. Anyone who is operating rides like that [the Smiler], they know each other as rivals and competitors and they know each other from their participation in various sector-related bodies that deal with all aspects of that business, including safety. Within those circles, there will be huge interest from all of them about what has happened [at Alton Towers],” he said. |
| “If you haven’t had the accident yourself, you want all that information and you’re going to make sure you’ve dealt with it. But you’re not going to go out there and raise your head above the parapet and say anything – you’re not under any obligation to do so. You can’t assume from that that they are not doing anything. | “If you haven’t had the accident yourself, you want all that information and you’re going to make sure you’ve dealt with it. But you’re not going to go out there and raise your head above the parapet and say anything – you’re not under any obligation to do so. You can’t assume from that that they are not doing anything. |
| “I would be amazed if they weren’t using their industry contacts to find out what had happened as far as they possibly can. They can just call HSE and say, ‘Is there anything we need to know?’ and HSE will ... make sure the whole industry knows. That’s part of their role. It’s unthinkable that they wouldn’t do that.” | “I would be amazed if they weren’t using their industry contacts to find out what had happened as far as they possibly can. They can just call HSE and say, ‘Is there anything we need to know?’ and HSE will ... make sure the whole industry knows. That’s part of their role. It’s unthinkable that they wouldn’t do that.” |
| The Saw ride at Thorpe Park in Surrey and the Dragon’s Fury and Rattlesnake rollercoasters at Chessington World of Adventures, also in Surrey, have also been shut down by Merlin Entertainments, which owns all three parks. | The Saw ride at Thorpe Park in Surrey and the Dragon’s Fury and Rattlesnake rollercoasters at Chessington World of Adventures, also in Surrey, have also been shut down by Merlin Entertainments, which owns all three parks. |
| There have been 32 recorded accidents over three years at Alton Towers, it emerged on Saturday, from a guest being rushed to hospital after hearing her “neck crack” on the 60mph Rita ride to an employee falling into a water trough. The incidents were disclosed by the HSE in response to a freedom of information request by the Birmingham Evening Mail. | There have been 32 recorded accidents over three years at Alton Towers, it emerged on Saturday, from a guest being rushed to hospital after hearing her “neck crack” on the 60mph Rita ride to an employee falling into a water trough. The incidents were disclosed by the HSE in response to a freedom of information request by the Birmingham Evening Mail. |
| Drayton Manor theme park, which is also located in Staffordshire, defended its safety procedures and said its rides underwent a “rigorous” daily inspection. “The health and safety of our visitors is of paramount importance,” said David Bromilow, Drayton Manor’s operations manager. | Drayton Manor theme park, which is also located in Staffordshire, defended its safety procedures and said its rides underwent a “rigorous” daily inspection. “The health and safety of our visitors is of paramount importance,” said David Bromilow, Drayton Manor’s operations manager. |
| “All of our rides comply with health and safety requirements for safe operation, maintenance and inspection processes. In addition, each ride has specific risk assessments to ensure that these processes are current.” | “All of our rides comply with health and safety requirements for safe operation, maintenance and inspection processes. In addition, each ride has specific risk assessments to ensure that these processes are current.” |
| He added: “As well as the daily assessment and testing, all rides are verified regularly by independent inspectors in compliance with the HSE guidelines for safe operation. | He added: “As well as the daily assessment and testing, all rides are verified regularly by independent inspectors in compliance with the HSE guidelines for safe operation. |
| “As an industry, we have an enviable health and safety record in the UK and it is standard practice to be meticulous where testing is concerned.” | “As an industry, we have an enviable health and safety record in the UK and it is standard practice to be meticulous where testing is concerned.” |
| The International Association of Amusement Parks (IAAPA) suggests that the odds of sustaining an injury at theme park is one in 9 million. | The International Association of Amusement Parks (IAAPA) suggests that the odds of sustaining an injury at theme park is one in 9 million. |