5th Jun 2015 11:48
LONDON (Alliance News) - Merlin Entertainments PLC on Friday said it will close the Smiler rollercoaster at Alton Towers, along with a similar ride at its Thorpe Park theme park, following the crash that occurred on the Smiler on Tuesday, but said Alton Towers will reopen having been shuttered following the accident.
People on the Smiler ride were trapped 25 feet up at a 45 degree angle for up to four-and-a-half hours on Tuesday after two carriages collided, resulting in 16 people being injured, including four seriously.
Merlin said that since the accident took place, it has been engaged in an investigation of the events which led up to the incident and has been reviewing its safety and operating processes in cooperation with the UK's Health & Safety Executive.
It said that, following the investigation, the Smiler rollercoaster which was involved in the accident and the Saw ride at Thorpe Park will be closed for the foreseeable future, having been shut, along with the entire theme park, since the accident happened.
Merlin said it will complete its probe of safety process at Alton Towers and is planning to reopen the park, which has been closed since Wednesday, in the next few days.
"This has been a terrible experience for everyone involved and one we sincerely regret. Our thoughts remain with those who were seriously injured, and we are doing everything we can to support them through this difficult time. It is an accident that should not have happened, and we are determined that it will never happen again," said Merlin Chief Executive Nick Varney.
"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. These will act as an additional safeguard to further strengthen our operating and safety standards. This has been a devastating experience, and we are committed to learning the lessons from it," Varney added.
Shares in Merlin were down 1.1% to 441.80 pence on Friday afternoon.
By Sam Unsted; [email protected]; @SamUAtAlliance
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