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Rollercoaster crash victim 'angry' with Alton Towers

The boyfriend of a teenager who had her leg amputated after The Smiler ride crash said Alton Towers should have known there was something wrong with the ride.

Joe Pugh, who was on the rollercoaster with his girlfriend, Leah Washington, at Alton Towers, was giving his views nearly two weeks after the crash that left his knees shattered.

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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

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