22nd Apr 2016 10:22
LONDON (Alliance News) - Merlin Entertainments PLC on Friday pleaded guilty to an offence under the UK Health & Safety at Work Act, following the Smiler rollercoaster crash last summer at its Alton Towers amusement park.
Last June, two carriages on the Smiler ride at Alton Towers, in the English Midlands, collided, leaving 16 people injured and five seriously, two of which had to have legs amputated due to the severity of their injuries.
In February, the Health & Safety Executive, which investigated the incident, said it would take Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd to court for breaching health and safety regulations.
Merlin Attractions Operations is the company responsible for Alton Towers and under health and safety law is responsible for managing the risks created by the operation of the theme park's rides.
On Friday, Merlin pleaded guilty to breaching the Health & Safety at Work Act at the hearing which was held at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
"From the outset, the company has accepted responsibility for what happened in June last year and it has cooperated fully with the Health & Safety Executive in its investigation," Merlin said in a statement.
"We have sought to provide help and support to all those injured in the accident and will continue to do so," the company added.
According to the Press Association, District Judge McGarva warned that Merlin may be ordered to pay "a very large fine".
"We welcome the guilty plea entered by Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd. Merlin has acknowledged that it failed in its legal duty to protect people on the Smiler ride," Neil Craig, head of operations for HSE in the Midlands said.
"We hope this first milestone will help those affected to continue their recovery from this tragic incident," he added.
Shares in Merlin were trading down 0.5% at 444.70 pence on Friday morning.
By Karolina Kaminska; [email protected] @KarolinaAllNews
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