Alton Towers will reopen Smiler next month

The Smiler rollercoaster at Alton Towers that has been closed since five people were seriously injured in a horror crash last year is due to reopen next month.

Published Mar 2, 2016

After the incident last June, two women had to have their legs amputated after their carriage collided with a stationary carriage on the same track.

The ride has been closed since June 2 2015, and will reopen on March 19 when the new season starts at the theme park.

Last week it was announced that Alton Towers owner, Merlin, is to be prosecuted over the crash. The Health and Safety Executive said Merlin Attractions will appear at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on April 22 to face a charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Merlin Entertainments has seen its annual profits edge up after the accident. The group – which also owns attractions such as Legoland, Madame Tussauds and the London Eye – said it overcame a fall in revenues at its theme parks to post a pre-tax profit rise of 0.3 per cent to £250 million in the year to December 26 compared with a year ago.

It said Alton Towers had a 'significant' fall in visitor numbers after the accident on June 2, 2015, which resulted in the 500-acre theme park in Staffordshire being shut down for four days.

Merlin Attractions is alleged to have breached Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Sixteen people were injured in the collision on a low section of the ride, which can reach speeds of up to 50mph.