Alton Towers rollercoaster crash seriously injures four passengers

FOUR people are seriously injured after two rollercoaster carriages collided in Britain, leaving passengers stranded eight metres in the air.

Smiler Times Altona Towers is searching for a roller coaster tester.

FOUR people are seriously injured after two carriages on a rollercoaster ride collided at the Alton Towers theme park in Britain.

There were 16 people on board one of the “The Smiler” ride carriages, while the other one was empty, when the crash happened on Tuesday afternoon.

An air ambulance was called to the resort, located near the city of Nottingham in central England.

Work to evacuate the passengers was still underway three hours after the crash, leaving passengers stranded eight metres in the air.

“The resort’s fully qualified first responders were on the scene immediately to assist with the evacuation, which is ongoing,” the spokeswoman said.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said that 16 people required medical attention, “four of which have reported serious injuries”.

It said two teenage boys and two teenage girls suffered serious leg injuries.

Musician and radio broadcaster Danny Simm tweeted that he saw “people unconscious, knocked out. Blood everywhere. It really was shocking.”

#altontowers For saying it's only technical issues, this is the third air ambulance to land.. Oh dear Alton Towers. pic.twitter.com/6torYa0DzW

— Lauren (@Laurenletitia13) June 2, 2015

Sat in cafe at Alton Towers by Smiler when crash just happened. Big bang. People still stuck on the ride.

— Mark James (@Mark_J69) June 2, 2015

have the complete fear now after seeing two carriage crash into each other on the smiler! and the poor response from alton towers staff

— sarah macdonald (@sarahxmacdonald) June 2, 2015

“Ambulance staff and medics are working quickly with resort staff to gain access to the seriously injured,” she said.

Nicola Hawes, an eyewitness, tweeted: “it was terrifying - that poor guy with his face smashed in!”

The Smiler opened in 2013 and is billed as the world’s first 14-loop rollercoaster. The Alton Towers website said the ride is “not for the faint-hearted”.

Alton Towers is located 240 kilometres north of London and is one of Britain’s most popular tourist attractions. The park said there would be “a full investigation once all the guests have been evacuated, which is our priority.”

Currently deserted, a general view of the Smiler rollercoaster. Picture: Christopher Furlong

The smiler always was overly aggressive

— Ash (@AshHughes75) June 2, 2015

Have I actually just seen someone ask #AltonTowers if the Smiler ride will be running tomorrow?! Planet. Stop. I want to get off.

— Richard (@richardmarsh87) June 2, 2015

I cant understand why people are asking if The Smiler ride at #altontowers is going to reopen. Have some respect for those injured. #selfish

— Dave Burnett (@alanacat26) June 2, 2015

@altontowers can you let us know those people are okay, I saw it happen it was terrifying - that poor guy with his face smashed in!

— nicola hawes (@kitkatnic) June 2, 2015

@altontowers not what I expected to see today.. 2 carriage crashed into each other on the Smiler!!! #notgood! pic.twitter.com/aX8mBDaX7K

— Helen Critchley (@princesshelen15) June 2, 2015