An Alton Towers staffed helpline for relatives is now active on 0800 230 0770 |
Alton Towers Smiler Library Picture |
Alton Towers Staffordshire Theme Park 'Smiler' ride involved in major emergency this lunchtime, (14:09) as two 16 person cars collide, one car was full, the other empty and had halted, the moving car crashed into it at speed. 4 persons: 2 males and 2 females seriously injured with leg injuries.
NHS Major Incident called. Air ambulance helicopter (1 of 2) landed nearby. Road ambulances also on site some patients off ride and being treated.
Specialist doctors and heart unit on site. 2 air ambulances. Community First Responders, based at Alton Towers on scene within 60 seconds of incident NHS Triage team on site, as a temporary zip-up tower platform is being constructed to free the remaining people as the car is trapped at a 'loop base section' not far off the ground. 16 patients, 4 already triaged, 4 seriously injured. Incident ongoing.
The ride is just 2 years old, and is a fourteen loop roller coaster employs 16 person cars (not carriages) which are individually released. Empty test cars are used daily to prove the circuit before humans are allowed to ride, and according to sources, one of these empty 'test' cars was not properly recalled and stationed off the live circuit or track.
Part of the park has been cleared, to enable the rescue and recovery to go ahead. Reports from eye witnesses suggest multiple injuries, like a 'battle ground' and a 'HUGE BANG' said one visitor on twitter.
The cars at times travel at 54 miles an hour. One air ambulance has already left with another helicopter waiting nearby.
An Alton Towers helpline for relatives is active on 0800 230 0770
A full investigation is already underway with HS&E investigators expected to arrive later this afternoon. Four Pump Escapes, Incident tender, rope rescue unit and aerial platforms on site from Staff Fire & Rescue along with firefighter rescue crews.
JULIAN BRAY ++44(0)1733 345581, Journalist, Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Operations Expert, Travel / Cruise Industry, EQUITY, NUJ, Broadcast COOBE ISDN ++44 (0)1733 345020 (DUAL CODEC) SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK e&oe Cell: 07944 217476 or iPhone 0743 530 3145 #VENDOR 10476453 http://feeds.feedburner.com/BraysDuckhouseBlog
No comments:
Post a Comment