Crash Victim Opposes Rollercoaster Reopening

Alton Towers is reopening its Smiler ride today - nine months after the rollercoaster crashed, leaving five people with life-changing or serious injuries.

The Staffordshire theme park said in a statement it had "sought to learn every possible lesson to help ensure there is no repeat of what happened" last June before deciding to reopen the £18m ride to the public.

Two teenage passengers - Vicky Balch and Leah Washington - each lost a leg in the aftermath of the accident when their carriage collided with a stationary car on the ride .

Miss Washington's boyfriend, Joe Pugh, broke both knees and endured extensive hand injuries, Daniel Thorpe suffered a fractured leg and a punctured lung, and mother-of-two Chanda Singh suffered internal bleeding.

The crash was the subject of an immediate Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation and was blamed by park owner Merlin Entertainments on human error.

Mr Pugh, from Barnsley, said he would have preferred the ride to have remained closed.

Speaking to ITV's Good Morning Britain, he said: "I think it would have been a bit unrealistic if we had both said 'I don't think it's ever going to reopen again' because it always was going to, but if people choose to go on it that's up to them.

"Seeing it go round, it's not something that I want to see. I would have preferred for it to be closed."

In its statement, Alton Towers said the safety of its guests and employees must always be paramount.

The statement added: "The park has implemented a number of changes to the way the ride is operated, including enhanced training and additional safety procedures.

"All of the resort's rides and attractions are subject to a thorough annual safety inspection and testing regime through third party ride safety specialists.

"The Smiler has been re-examined and issued with a Document of Compliance as part of this scheme before reopening."

A criminal prosecution of Merlin Entertainments was announced by the HSE in February.

The case against the company, alleging a breach of health and safety law, is due to be heard at North Staffordshire Justice Centre next month.