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Alton Towers To Remain Closed For Fifth Day
06-06-2015 16:23
The park will be shut on Sunday while the cause of a rollercoaster crash that seriously injured four people is investigated.
lton Towers will remain closed for a fifth day after a crash on a rollercoaster left four people with serious injuries.
The amusement park in north Staffordshire will not reopen on Sunday due to the ongoing investigation into the cause of the accident, officials have confirmed.
Guests with pre-booked tickets have the option to use their tickets tomorrow at an alternative attraction, obtain a full refund or receive alternative dated tickets.
A total of 16 people were injured after the Smiler ride came to an abrupt halt when two carriages collided on Tuesday.
Four of the passengers were seriously hurt, suffering "significant lower limb injuries".
The boss of the park has told Sky News safety measures "weren't adequate" at the attraction.
Nick Varney, chief executive of Merlin Entertainment, which runs several UK theme parks, said "another layer" of safety was being added to existing rides as a "precaution" against the prospect of another accident.
Merlin has also temporarily shut other rollercoasters: Saw at Merlin's Thorpe Park site, and two rides at Chessington World of Adventures - Dragon's Fury and Rattlesnake.
Meanwhile, lawyers for one of the teenagers seriously injured in the crash said they expect a criminal prosecution to be "seriously considered".
Paul Paxton, a partner at Stewarts Law, said yesterday that 19-year-old Vicky Balch, from Leyland in Lancashire, remains in a "critical" condition in hospital, but this was later downgraded.
He said on Friday: "Whilst it is anticipated that there will be a substantial claim for damages to support Victoria in her recovery, the main focus at present for the family is Victoria's well-being and ensuring that the investigation into the accident is carried out swiftly and vigorously.
"They have every confidence in the police and the Health and Safety Executive.
"It is expected that serious consideration will be given to criminal prosecutions.
"The family are distraught that a fun day out could turn into such a potentially life-changing disaster."
The others seriously injured were: Daniel Thorpe, a 27-year-old hotel assistant manager from Buxton in Derbyshire, textile design student Joe Pugh, 18, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and his girlfriend, Leah Washington, 17.
The Smiler, which cost an estimated £18m to build, has been closed twice before because of safety concerns.
It boasts a world record for being the rollercoaster with the most loops.
news.sky.com