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Alton Towers owner in court over The Smiler rollercoaster crash

The owner of Alton Towers is due to appear in court today (Friday) charged with health and safety breaches following The Smiler rollercoaster crash.

The Health and Safety Executive is taking legal action against Merlin Attractions Operations after two rollercoaster carriages collided last June.

The company is due to appear at North Staffordshire Justice Centre to face one charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

The accident left five people seriously injured.

18-year old Leah Washington and 20-year-old Vicky Balch both had a leg amputated.

Merlin reported a 12.4% loss in revenue in its resort theme parks operating group earlier this year, which it attributed to The Smiler crash. The ride has since reopened.

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