Blogger News Network

July 20, 2006

Three people have been taken to hospital and 26 others are being treated for cuts and bruises after an accident on a ride at the United Kingdom's most famous theme park, Alton Towers. The front carriages of the Runaway Mine Train, which had 46 passengers on it at the time, became separated and subsequently crashed back into the rest of the ride at the Staffordshire theme park.

Two women were flown by air ambulance to North Staffordshire Hospital, and a third person was taken there by land ambulance.

The ride, which is one of Alton Towers oldest attractions, was immediately evacuated and closed to the public. Alton Towers and the Health and Safety Executive are investigating the incident at 1100 local time on Thursday.

"The health and safety of our guests is our primary objective," a spokeswoman for the theme park said. "The ride has been closed and will remain so whilst a thorough investigation is carried out," she added.

On Alton Towers website, customers are told they can "rattle along the rickety rails and mine shafts, past trees and rivers, on a speeding locomotive that's out of control - and getting faster every second" on the Runaway Mine Train.

The roller coaster was manufactured by Mack Trucks, and is situated in the Katanga Canyon area of the theme park. The train normally makes two circuits for each ride, but on quiet days, it has been known to make three. It can get quite intense, especially when it rockets through a pitch-black tunnel.

Sources

• "Dozens hurt on Alton Towers ride". BBC news Online, 20 July 2006
• "Accident at Alton Towers injures 29". ITV, Jul 20 2006