Alton Towers: Crash on The Smiler rollercoaster was caused by 'human error'

The Alton Towers rollercoaster crash which seriously injured five people was caused by "human error", the theme park's owner Merlin Entertainments has said.

They added that the Smiler ride will re-open next year.

Sixteen people in total were injured on the ride when the carriage they were in collided with another that had come to a halt on the track on June 2

Leah Washington, 18, her boyfriend Joe Pugh, 18, Vicky Balch, 20, her partner Daniel Thorpe, and Chandaben Chauhan, 49, were seriously injured in the crash.

Leah and Vicky both had to have a leg amputated as a result of the crash, while Joe and Daniel suffered serious leg injuries.

Miss Balch said previously she didn't want the ride to reopen.

The Smiler cost £18million and required 700 tonnes of steel. It has had a series of problems since it opened in 2013.