Alton Towers ride reopens despite protests

Alton Towers reopened its main rollercoaster ride on Saturday, nine months after a crash that caused appalling injuries to five passengers.

                              

Space-themed Galactica attraction combines physical ride with virtual reality and is first major launch since Smiler crash  Continue to read after the cut
            

The Staffordshire theme park was beginning its first season since 16 people were injured in the Smiler accident, with its owner hoping to make a fresh start in spite of opposition from some of the victims. These include 21-year-old Vicky Balch, whose leg was amputated after one of the ride’s carriages smashed into another at high speed. She has criticised Alton Towers for putting “money before safety” and called for the ride to remain closed. But the crowds who queued outside the park from 7am had different ideas.
When the gates opened at 10am, dozens of people sprinted from the turnstiles to the Smiler’s entrance. Among them was James Butler, a 21-year-old acting and theatre student from Staffordshire University, who visited the park more than 60 times last year. “It was crazy,” he said. “We were all running down the hill and screaming and shouting. I just wanted to be here. It’s the first time it’s run since the accident. I loved the ride, even after the accident. It’s the safest ride in the world now.”
Neil Charteris, a 53-year-old maintenance engineer from Cannock, who has friends who have worked at the park, went on with his daughter Laura. He said had “no nerves. The safety issue doesn’t bother me. I’m just glad it’s re-opened. Source T.G