Alton Towers rollercoaster crash leaves 4 seriously injured
Four people have been seriously injured in a crash between two carriages on an Alton Towers rollercoaster.
There were 16 people in one of the carriages, while the other one was empty, when the incident occurred on the theme park's Smiler ride.
An air ambulance was sent to the scene, and pictures have emerged of emergency crews rescuing visitors stuck on the ride.
Update: Four hurt as Smiler ride evacuated @altontowers. Eye-witness reports here: http://t.co/FwNwb6qoEP#Sentinelpic.twitter.com/rJfQb7pFY9
— Martin Tideswell (@MartinTideswell) June 2, 2015
Speaking to the BBC, eyewitness Ben Richardson said: "When the second carriage crashed people were screaming and shouting - even after it stopped. Everyone around the park ran over.
"The people looked significantly distressed. It was almost like a car crash, very full on."
According to RT.com, another witness Danny Simm tweeted there was "blood everywhere", saying: "People unconscious, knocked out. Blood everywhere. It really was shocking. Air ambulances landing now, people still stuck."
Merlin Entertainment, which runs Alton Towers, has released a statement, which, according to the Standard, reads: "There has been an incident on the Smiler this afternoon (2 June) involving two carriages coming together on a low section of the track.
"One of the carriages was empty and the other had 16 guests in it.
"The resort's fully qualified First Responders were on the scene immediately to assist with the evacuation.
"There will be a full investigation once we have recovered the guests, who are our priority."
The Smiler ride is one of the newest attractions at the theme park, opening in May 2013.
The £18 million ride was billed as the world's first 14-loop rollercoaster.
Back in November 2013, the Smiler rollercoaster was forced to close when the wheels became loose and hit riders sat on the front row.
The ride was closed in July 2013 after visitors heard a "massive clanging sound" and saw a metal bar on the ground nearby.
The rollercoaster was shut for four days and 48 people had to be rescued.
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