Merlin Entertainments faces prosecution over Alton Towers crash

The UK Health & Safety Executive said it will prosecute Merlin Entertainments over the rollercoaster crash at its Alton Towers theme park last June, when five people were seriously injured.

The HSE informed Merlin on Thursday that it will prosecute the company for breaching health and safety law.

Two female passengers on the ‘Smiler’ ride suffered leg amputations and three others were also seriously injured when their carriage collided with a stationary carriage on the same track on 2 June.

Merlin has been called appear at North Staffordshire Justice Centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme on 22 April to face charges.

“We have today informed Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd that it will be prosecuted for breaching health and safety law," said Neil Craig, the HSE's head of operations in the Midlands.

“This was a serious incident with life-changing consequences for five people. We have conducted a very thorough investigation and consider that there is sufficient evidence and that it is in the public interest to bring a prosecution.”