The Health and Safety Executive has launched an investigation after a crash on Alton Towers’ Smiler ride left four visitors seriously injured yesterday (2nd June).
The Staffordshire theme park was closed today to allow the authorities, including HSE and the police, to determine the cause of the incident and confirm the safety of other rides in the park.
Earlier today (3rd June), Neil Craig, head of operations for HSE in the Midlands, commented on the incident: “This was a major incident and members of the public have suffered serious injuries. It meets the criteria for an HSE investigation and our inspectors were at Alton Towers yesterday to begin making inquiries.
“We have assembled a team of specialist inspectors and technical investigators and they will be on site today to continue our investigation.”
HSE’s specially trained inspectors from its National Fairground Inspection Team (NFIT) are being supported on site by specialists in mechanical engineering, electrics and control systems from HSE’s Health and Safety Laboratory in Buxton, Derbyshire.
Mr Craig added: “Our role is to establish the facts. We will want to determine that those responsible for operating this ride have done what the law requires. We will also ensure that if there are any lessons to be learned they are shared as soon as possible.
“Although the investigation is in its early stages, we will take action to protect the public if we uncover evidence that could affect the safety of other rides at the park or elsewhere.”
Alton Towers’ Smiler crashed when two carriages collided on a low section of the track. Sixteen people were rescued from 25ft in the air at an angle of about 45 degrees. Four people suffered serious leg injuries in the crash and were taken to major trauma centres by air ambulance. Another 12 riders required medical treatment but their injuries were not considered serious.
