Man Loses Leg After Horror Rollercoaster Accident

You are twice as likely to get struck by lightning as be injured on a rollercoaster, however for riders of a roller coaster in the UK, luck wasn't on their side.

Four people have been seriously hurt in a crash between two carriages on a ride at Alton Towers in Staffordshire.

Sixteen people were in one carriage of the Smiler ride; the other was empty.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said two men, aged 18 and 27, and two women, aged 19 and 17, suffered "significant lower limb injuries". They were airlifted to trauma centres in Stoke and Coventry for treatment. One of them has since had their leg amputated.

A director described it as "the most serious incident" in the park's history.

The passengers were trapped for several hours on the ride, about 25ft (7.6m) above the ground.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing "a loud crash" when the crash happened at 14:09.

Ben Richardson said: "When the second carriage crashed people were screaming and shouting - even after it stopped. Everyone around the park ran over.

"The people looked significantly distressed. It was almost like a car crash, very full-on."

More to come.