Alton Towers back in business following rollercoaster smash
Alton Towers has reopened its gates to the public nearly a week after a rollercoaster accident saw 16 visitors injured, four of whom remain in hospital receiving treatment for serious leg injuries.
The park has been shut since the incident on its flagship Smiler ride, whilst investigators carried out an urgent health and safety review at the park by site owners Merlin Entertainment and the Health and Safety Executive.
In an attempt at damage limitation merlin chief executive Nick Varney stressed that this was the first accident in the company’s history and that additional safety measures were now in place on its rides but this hasn’t assuaged the fears of some who’ve opted to stay away despite pre-booking tickets.
Amongst them was student Louise Riley who said her group did not wish to be ‘guinea pigs’ for the park, saying: “It's also that 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.”
Despite the park as a whole re-opening two rides will remain closed; the Smiler itself and surrounding Z-Sector as well as the Spinball ride, whilst additional safety measures are put in place.