New CCTV Footage Shows Moment 'Smiler' Rollercoaster Crashed Last Year

Footage has emerged of the moment that 'The Smiler' rollercoaster at Alton Towers crashed in June last year, with five people suffering life changing injuries.

CCTV shows the ride in operation on June 2nd before one carriage crashed into an empty one, trapping its occupants.

Warning: distressing footage to follow...

The BBC reports that the theme park's operator Merlin Attractions has been warned to expect a 'very large fine' for breaches of health and safety.

Today, several of those left trapped on the ride following the crash attended the start of what is scheduled to be a two-day sentencing hearing at Stafford Crown Court.

Barrister Bernard Thorogood, opening the case, said that the crash was equivalent to, "a family car of 1.5 tons having collided at about 90mph," and that had been a, "frustration of those on the train that those on the ground did not grasp the enormity of the injuries" suffered by those on the rollercoaster.

Vicky Balch and Leah Washington, who each lost a leg in the crash, were in court for the hearing, along with fellow passengers Joe Pugh and Daniel Thorpe, who were badly affected.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Alton Towers

James Dawson

James Dawson is a Journalist at LADbible. He has contributed articles to LADbible’s ‘Knowing Me, Knowing EU’ series on the EU referendum, the 'Electoral Dysfunction' series on the 2017 general election, the ‘U OK M8?’ series tackling mental health amongst young men, and for its ‘Climate Change’ initiative in partnership with National Geographic.

@thejaytoday