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Alton Towers ride reopens

The Alton Towers theme park in Staffordshire has reopened its Smiler ride. The rollercoaster was closed after a bolt was seen to have dropped from the structure.

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Alton Towers: Air & Runaway Train 'to run tomorrow as usual'

Alton Towers has confirmed two of its popular rides - Air and Runaway Train - will be open and operational as usual tomorrow.

It comes after the Runaway Train opened late this morning, remaining closed until 11.55am, due to what a theme park spokeswoman said was a "late handover" from the technical services team, who handle all pre-opening checks.

Air was closed briefly while one of the trains was replaced Credit: PA

Air was closed for 16 minutes while staff took one of the trains off the ride and replaced it with another. The ride was also closed for two to three minutes at a time later in the day after a guest was taken ill, and to confiscate a camera from another visitor.

Spokeswoman Liz Greenwood told ITV News that any delays now being experienced were within the usual expected level.

It is natural that given the current circumstances, our guests are more focused on any minor delay or technical stoppage, but all of the rides undergo comprehensive pre-opening checks and any delays that we are experiencing now are within our expected level.

All issues will be dealt with according to our stringent processes and rides will reopen as appropriate.

The Mine Train didn’t close once it had opened and Air was closed for a maximum of 16minutes. Both rides will run tomorrow as usual.

– Liz Greenwood, Alton Towers spokeswoman

Alton Towers rollercoaster reopens after hitch

Alton Towers has reopened its new multi-million pound rollercoaster after reports that a bolt was seen to have fallen from the ride.

A spokeswoman for the Staffordshire theme park said the Smiler was now up and running again after its closure at the weekend, when visitors claim they saw a piece of metal break away from the ride and land near them, leaving a gap in the track on Sunday.

Around 48 people had to be rescued from the ride, which was then closed to allow for technical teams to investigate.

A spokeswoman for Alton Towers said that at no time was any guest at risk and the ride was reopened once the problem had been resolved.

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Smiler to remain closed while investigations carried out

Alton Towers' newest rollercoaster, Smiler, will remain closed while the theme park's technical team investigate reports that a bolt fell from the ride.

Just under 50 people were on the ride at the time and had to be rescued.

A spokeswoman for Alton Towers said:

On Sunday 21st July, in line with our standard procedures, Alton Towers Resort closed The Smiler to investigate a small piece of debris that had allegedly fallen from the track.

At no time was any visitor at any risk, and 48 guests on the ride at the time were safely disembarked.

As the health and safety of our guests is our primary concern, the ride will remain closed whilst the resort's technical team investigate.

'Loose bolt' fears close Alton Towers Resort ride

Alton Towers Resort Smiler ride in Staffordshire. Credit: PA Wire

Alton Towers has been forced to close its new multi-million pound rollercoaster after reports that a bolt was seen to have dropped from the ride.

Visitors queuing for the £18m Smiler ride, which has 14 loops and reaches speeds of up to 53mph, say they saw a piece of metal break away from the ride and land near them, leaving a gap in the track.

Around 48 people had to be helped off the ride, which was then closed to allow for technical teams to investigate.

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