Rollercoaster crash to cost Alton Towers up to £47m

Two carriages collided on the Smiler ride at Alton Towers last month. Credit: Fabio De Paola/PA Wire

The owner of Alton Towers has warned its annual earnings could drop by up to £47 million after last month's rollercoaster crash, which injured five people and led to a four-day closure of the theme park.

Merlin Entertainments said the June 2 accident on the Smiler ride has had "an adverse impact on trading at the start of the critical summer period" and predicted figures for the full year and next year will be affected.

Two of the victims of the crash, Leah Washington and Vicky Balch, had a leg amputated below the knee as a result of their terrible injuries.

Vicky Balch, 20, (right) had her right leg amputated below the knee. Credit: Twitter/Vicky Balch

Leah's boyfriend, Joe Pugh, suffered two shattered knees and has lost the use of one of his fingers.

The 18-year-old told ITV News earlier this month he is not bitter at the owners of the theme park.

“I’m not angry about it because I don’t know how it happened," he said. "Maybe when we find out actually how it did happen then those emotions might come."

Merlin's profit warning said its underlying theme park earnings are expected to fall from £87 million in 2014 to between £40 million and £50 million this year.

The company said it was taking action "to rebuild momentum and re-engage with our customers" but said recent trading and the "likely trajectory over the key summer trading period" would result in a significant loss of business.

Merlin also suspended UK theme park marketing and temporarily closed rides at two other sites after the crash on the £18 million ride at the Staffordshire theme park.

Mr Varney added: "Alton Towers Resort was reopened on 8 June 2015, but as a result of the material loss of momentum, trading at the park and, to a lesser extent, the broader UK Resort Theme Parks estate has been adversely impacted."

The theme park reopened after four days but key attractions Oblivion and Smiler remained closed after the crash. Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

Merlin - which also operates Madame Tussauds and Legoland parks - is expecting to see visitor numbers across the group's attractions marginally rise from 27.5 million last year to 27.7 million.

But Thursday's impending half-year results are due to show pre-tax profits were 10% lower at £36 million across the six-month period.