Alton Towers owner to be prosecuted over Smiler crash

The aftermath of the Smiler accident at Alton Towers

The owner of Alton Towers is to be prosecuted over the Smiler rollercoaster crash which seriously injured five people.

Merlin Attractions Operation Ltd will appear at North Staffordshire Justice Centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme on April 22 to face a charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act etc, 1974.

Neil Craig, head of operations for the Health and Safety Executive in the Midlands, said: “We have today informed Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd that it will be prosecuted for breaching health and safety law.

“This was a serious incident with life-changing consequences for five people.

“We have conducted a very thorough investigation and consider that there is sufficient evidence and that it is in the public interest to bring a prosecution.”

Five people were hurt in the crash on June 2, 2015 when two carriages collided on the Smiler rollercoaster. Vicky Balch and Leah Washington both lost a leg in the crash.