Alton Towers Rollercoaster Crash Leaves Four Teenagers Seriously Injured

A devastating accident occurred at the Alton Towers resort in Staffordshire on [date], when a carriage on the Smiler ride crashed into an empty carriage, leaving four teenagers with serious leg injuries. The incident happened at 2:09 pm, when the 50mph ride, which has a world record-breaking 14 loops, was carrying 16 people. The crash was severe enough to require a ramp to be built to allow emergency services to reach the occupants, who were approximately 25 feet up in the air at an angle of around 45 degrees.

Key Takeaways:

• Four teenagers, two male and two female, suffered serious leg injuries in the crash, while the other 12 occupants required triage.
• The accident occurred on the Smiler ride, a £18 million rollercoaster that boasts a world record-breaking 14 loops.
• The ride had broken down earlier in the day, with visitors reporting technical difficulties on social media.
• Sophie Underwood, a witness, described the scene as chaotic, with air ambulances and ambulances rushing to the scene.
• Four air ambulances, four ambulances, and several senior paramedic managers were dispatched to the scene, with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue sending four pumps, a rescue tender, rope rescue, and an aerial ladder.
• Ian Crabbe, Alton Towers divisional director, said a full investigation is under way, with the company's priority being the safety and well-being of the injured individuals.

Statistics:

• 4 teenagers seriously injured
• 12 occupants required triage
• 16 people in total on the ride at the time of the crash
• 4 air ambulances dispatched to the scene
• 4 ambulances dispatched to the scene
• 4 pumps, 1 rescue tender, rope rescue, and an aerial ladder sent by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue

Sources:

• BBC
• Alton Towers resort
• Staffordshire Fire and Rescue
• Twitter posts by Sophie Underwood and Danny Simm