Alton Towers crash: Up to 190 jobs 'may go' following accident that seriously injured five people
Victoria Balch, Leah Washington, Joe Pugh, Daniel Thorpe, and Chanda Chauhan were all seriously hurt in the 2 June crash
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Your support makes all the difference.Up to 190 staff could be laid off from Alton Towers after a serious rollercoaster crash which injured five people and left two women with amputations.
The Smiler ride crashed into an empty carriage on 2 June, closing the 500-acre park for four days and leaving Victoria Balch, Leah Washington, Joe Pugh, Daniel Thorpe, and Chanda Chauhan – all sat in the front row – with serious injuries.
In the wake of the “devastating incident,” the Staffordshire park said visitor numbers dropped dramatically, with revenue falling 13.2 per cent in the 36 weeks to the 5th September.
The company announced a proposed “restructure of the business” for the park’s reopening in March next year, after closing for the winter months.
"Regretfully, however, it may result in the loss of up to 190 salaried jobs across the resort,” the park’s operator Merlin Entertainment said in a statement. Around 2,000 people work at the park.
Ms Balch, 20, was forced to undergo six rounds of surgery in a vain attempt to prevent the amputation of her leg. Ms Washington, 17, also had her leg amputated following the crash.
Her 18-year-old boyfriend Mr Pugh had both knees shattered by the impact of the crash.
Mr Thorpe, 27, had a collapsed lung and lower leg injuries while Ms Chahan, 49, had surgery after suffering internal injuries.
Alton Towers issued compensation to the five most seriously hurt individuals, as well as 11 others who were hurt in the accident.
A spokesperson for Alton Towers did not return request for comment.
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