Four people have been seriously injured in a crash between two carriages at Alton Towers theme park.
The accident happened at around 2.09pm on the amusement park’s Smiler rollercoaster.
One of the carriages contained 16 passengers while the other was empty.
The crash happened on a low section of the track.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “There are 16 patients on board The Smiler requiring triage, four of which have reported serious injuries.
“Ambulance staff and medics are working quickly with resort staff to gain access to the seriously injured.”
Visitors to Alton Towers reported on social media that the ride had broken down earlier today.
Lucy Farrugia said: “Smiler broke down when I was on it this morning and now it’s crashed. Hope everyone on it is OK, saw the air ambulance arrive.”
Danny Simm, a musician and songwriter who is also a radio presenter on 96.5 Bolton FM, who witnessed the aftermath of the accident, said that a number of people appeared to be badly injured.
He tweeted: “People unconscious, knocked out. Blood everywhere. It really was shocking. Air ambulances landing now, people still stuck.”
An Alton Towers spokesman said: “The resort’s fully qualified first responders were on the scene immediately to assist with the evacuation which is ongoing, and the area has been closed to allow for access to emergency services vehicles.
“To ensure the safe and timely evacuation of guests a platform is being constructed. This will take a few minutes but will enable us to proceed more quickly.
“There will be a full investigation once we have recovered the guests who are our priority.”
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