Last year Alton Towers hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons, when a crash on The Smiler rollercoaster in June left five people with serious injuries. Two of victims, Leah Washington and Vicky Balch, both were left facing leg amputations.
Now Merlin Entertainment, who own the park, have pleased guilty to breaching health and safety laws over the incident. They initially blamed “human error”, but legal proceedings were begun in February. Merlin entered the guilty plea at North Staffordshire justice centre on Friday, and now await sentencing.
A spokesman said: “Merlin Attractions Operations Limited today pleaded guilty to an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act. From the outset, the company has accepted responsibility for what happened in June last year and it has cooperated fully with the Health & Safety Executive in its investigation. We have sought to provide help and support to all those injured in the accident and will continue to do so.”
[via Buzzfeed]
