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Live updates: Alton Towers owner fined £5 million over Smiler ride crash

Alton Towers operator Merlin Attractions has been fined £5 million at Stafford Crown Court after admitting health and safety breaches over The Smiler rollercoaster crash.

The crash left two teenagers needing leg amputations, and several other victims with serious injuries.

Several victims of the crash were in court, where the hearing was told the force of the rash was equivalent to a family car crashing at 90mph.

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Alton Towers: Human error not the cause of Smiler crash

Human error was not the cause of last year's Smiler rollercoaster crash at Alton Towers, a judge has said.

On the second day of a two-day sentencing hearing at Stafford Crown Court, the judge also said the crash was a "needless and avoidable accident" caused by a "catastrophic failure" of safety.

Theme park operator Merlin is facing a large fine for health and safety failings, which led to two teenage girls needing leg amputations.

ITV News Correspondent Ben Chapman has the latest from court:

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