Which roller coaster crashed at Alton Towers?
On June 2 2015, a loaded train on the Alton Towers Smiler rollercoaster collided with an empty test train, trapping 16 people and seriously injury four. Two teenage girls who were sitting at the front of the train received life changing injuries and had to have legs amputated as a result.
What caused the accident at Alton Towers?
The serious crash unfolded on June 2, 2015, when a loaded train on the Alton Towers attraction collided with an empty test train, causing serious injuries to a number of riders. Usually, only four trains are allowed on the ride at a time, but a fifth was added due to large crowds.
How did the girl lose her leg on the Smiler?
Background. Vicky Balch was 19 years old when an accident at Alton Towers theme park resulted in her having to have a through knee leg amputation. At the time of the accident, Vicky was a young girl enjoying life.
Does The Smiler spray laughing gas?
Please note that due to health and safety, laughing gas is not used and instead it is just water vapor. Also, since the Smiler was opened the use of laughing gas for recreational purposes has become illegal.
What happened to the black hole at Alton Towers?
The Black Hole The site on which it once stood is now home to The Smiler, the 14-loop world-first coaster that needs little introduction. The Black Hole is still in operation. If you fancy a ride on it, it now operates in Sweden at Furuvik Zoo as ‘Rocket’. Sadly, not in a pitch-black tent, but still massively popular!
Is Vicky Balch married?
Alton Towers amputee Vicky Balch has married her fiancée in an ’emotional’ ceremony six years after she lost her leg in a horrific accident on the theme park’s Smiler ride.
Has Leah Washington returned to Alton Towers?
Alton Towers Smiler crash survivor Leah Washington has returned to the resort for a ‘girls weekend’ in a luxury tree house.
Who was at fault for the Smiler crash?
He received an estimated £100,000 pay-off, while Leah Washington whose left leg was badly crushed and amputated above the knee, was expected to receive more than £2 million. Alton Towers’ owners, Merlin, admitted being at fault and a £5 million fine was imposed by the courts after the incident on The Smiler ride.
Who was responsible for the Smiler crash?
Lawyers for the two girls, who each had a leg amputated following the crash, have said that their injuries were caused by Merlin’s ‘negligence and/or breach of statutory duty’. They could each reportedly receive ‘well in excess of £2m’ in compensation if the High Court claim is successful.
Is Smiler still at Alton Towers?
The Smiler was closed 🙁 – Alton Towers Theme Park.
Why did the black hole at Alton Towers close?
Its interior was redesigned, featuring a modified queue layout and station, which were restyled with a Jules Verne theme. In later years, the Black Hole became costly to maintain, and the park decided to close the attraction in 2005. The roller coaster track was dismantled and sold in 2007.