News Article 37

Alton Towers Smiler ride reopens nine months after horror crash

A rollercoaster at Alton Towers has reopened nine months after an accident which left five people with serious injuries.

Some of the first people on the Smiler ride cheered and clapped when it moved off,as crowds arrived for the new season at the Staffordshire theme park. Two women needed amputations after two carriages crashed on the track in June. The park said it had introduced "additional safety procedures" to the way the ride operates.

Jim Harvey and his 14-year-old son Liam, from Bloxwich, West Midlands, were among the first on the Smiler when it reopened.

Mr Harvey said: "It was fantastic, a bit daunting being first on - my son Liam forced me to sprint to be first. "After the terribly sad crash, you have to feel really bad for the people that got hurt but hundreds of accidents happen daily on the roads. "There's not a nice way to say it but accidents happen. Alton Towers have to move on."

Vicky Balch, who along with another passenger, Leah Washington, from Lancashire, had to have a leg amputated, told ITV: "I understand it's a business and it's what they have to do. I just didn't think it'd be so soon. It's only nine months, it's not a very long time." "It feels like the money comes before the people on the ride."

Joe Pugh, of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, Daniel Thorpe, from Buxton, Derbyshire, and Chandaben Chauhan, from Wednesbury, West Midlands, were also seriously injured. In total 16 people were hurt in the incident, which park owner Merlin Entertainments said was due to human error.

My opinion:

This was a terrible accident that happened and 9 months later, the people involved are still affected as this is unfortunately something that will impact/stay with them for life. I understand that Alton Towers re-opened the ride as they probably want to keep their business running and prove it was just down to human error. However, I personally do not agree that they did that, especially only 9 months later, because the accident was so huge and awful that I do not see why anyone would want to ride it but I guess it is the riders personal choice.