Carriages Crash On Alton Towers 'Smiler' Ride Staffordshire, UK June 2, 2015

4 teenagers out of 16 passengers have been seriously injured after two carriages on The Smiler rollercoaster at Alton Towers collided on a low section of track (one empty and stationary carriage); with those hurt still stuck on the ride, 25ft in the air, at a 45 degree angle. Lloyd Coller told Sky News: "I didn’t actually see it but I heard it. It sounded exactly like a car crash – just metal on metal." The Smiler had broken down three hours earlier following technical difficulties when he was on the ride.
"When we got stuck on The Smiler ... we were at the bottom of the first hill and they sent a train down behind us, which I thought was a bit strange," he said.
4 road ambulances, accompanied by senior paramedic managers, have also arrived on the scene to cope with the potential casualties. Ambulance staff and medics are ensuring the safe and timely evacuation of guests."There has been an incident on the Smiler this afternoon involving two carriages coming together on a low section of the track," the statement said.
According to the official website of The Smiler, the £18m ride is the world's first 14 looping rollercoaster.
It opened in May 2013 - and the ride was affected by two incidents within the space of just six months.
Two months after it opened, in July, a metal bolt fell off the ride - leaving a gap in the track. Some 48 people had to be rescued.
In November 2013, passengers sitting in the front seats of the ride were hit when several of the rollercoaster's wheels fell off.
This appears to be the seventh incident since The Smiler opened to the public which has led to the rollercoaster being closed for repairs, reviews or accidents.
The resort claims the ride features "a series of twisted psychological effects including optical illusions, blinding lights and near-misses designed to mess with your mind".
It can travel at top speeds of 53mph, and its highest drop is 98ft. In total, the 3,838ft ride lasts for nearly three minutes.