Another safety issue for Alton Towers’ new rollercoaster
Alton Towers has closed its Smiler rollercoaster after several of its wheels fell off.
This is the second time the £18 million ride has closed because of safety fears.
Sky News reports the 14-loop attraction was being pulled up an incline when a number of the small, plastic guide wheels came loose.
"The wheels, which are used to keep the chain inside the chain guard, were caught by safety netting but some were flicked up on to the ride, hitting those sat in the front seats," said the report.
A spokesman for the Staffordshire theme park confirmed two guests were attended to by staff but did not need to leave the park.
"A full investigation is now on-going to determine when the ride can re-open," the spokesman said, adding the park was "very sorry for any disappointment".
The Smiler, which opened on May 31, was closed for five days in July when a piece of track became dislodged, leaving dozens of people stuck.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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