The Smiler#Incidents
{{Short description|Roller coaster in Staffordshire, England}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox roller coaster
|name = The Smiler
|logo = The Smiler Official Logo.jpg
|logodimensions = 200px
|image = TheSmiler2015(2).JPG
|imagedimensions =
|caption = The Smiler trains dueling
|previousnames =
|location = Alton Towers
|section = X-Sector
|subsection =
|previousattraction = The Black Hole
|coordinates = {{coord|52|59|14|N|1|53|43|W|display=title,inline|region:GB-STS_type:landmark_source:dewiki}}
|status = Operating
|opened = {{Start date|2013|05|31|df=yes}}
|closed =
|year = 2013
|cost = £18 million
|type = Steel
|type2 =
|type3 =
|manufacturer = Gerstlauer
|designer = John Wardley (track layout)[https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/feature-iconic-alton-towers-ride-3411099 Feature: Life has been a rollercoaster for white knuckle ride designer John Wardley]. Birmingham Mail. 5 May 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
|model = Infinity Coaster
|track = Infinity Coaster 1170
|lift = Two chain lift hills
|speed_km/h =85
|inversions = 14
|duration = 2:45
|angle =
|capacity = 1,050
|acceleration =
|acceleration_from =
|acceleration_mph =
|acceleration_km/h =
|acceleration_in =
|restriction_cm = 140
|trains = 5/4
|carspertrain = 4
|rowspercar = 1
|ridersperrow = 4
|virtual_queue_name = Fastrack
|virtual_queue_image = AltonTowersFastTrack.svg
|virtual_queue_status = available
|accessible =
|transfer_accessible =
|rcdb_number = 11062
|single_rider=available|length_m=1,170|height_m=30}}
The Smiler is a steel roller coaster located at Alton Towers in Staffordshire, United Kingdom. The Infinity Coaster model from Gerstlauer set a world record for most inversions on a roller coaster when it opened in 2013, featuring 14 inversions that include dive loops, sidewinders, corkscrews, and other inverting elements. The ride was constructed in the X-Sector area of the park and underwent an extensive advertising campaign, during which it was codenamed Secret Weapon 7 (SW7).
A series of setbacks plagued The Smiler early on. A malfunction at a press preview event delayed the official opening date by two weeks, and in 2015, a major collision between two trains left five riders seriously injured. The incident resulted in an investigation by the UK government's Health and Safety Executive, and the ride eventually reopened the following season with revamped safety protocols and procedures.
History
Plans to build The Smiler were submitted to the local authority in December 2011. Permission was granted on 15 March 2012 following a Staffordshire Moorlands Council meeting, despite some local opposition to its construction.{{cite web|last=Sim|first=Nick|title=Alton Towers receives planning permission for SW7 roller coaster|url=http://www.themeparktourist.com/news/20120316/6195/alton-towers-receives-planning-permission-sw7-roller-coaster|access-date=25 March 2012|publisher=Theme Park Tourist|date=16 March 2012}} Gerstlauer, a German manufacturing company, was hired to build the roller coaster.{{cite web|url=http://publicaccess.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/upload/PublicAccess/Noise%20Report%20for%202013%20(37873).PDF |title=Noise Report |access-date=5 January 2012 |publisher=Staffordshire Moorlands Council }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Less than a month after obtaining permission, Alton Towers launched a website announcing a new ride – codenamed Secret Weapon 7 (SW7) – for the 2013 season. Its codename followed a similar format used for other roller coasters during their teaser campaigns, such as SW4{{Cite web |date=2022-09-06 |title=Rumour - Alton Towers Is Planning SW9 And It Will Be An Indoor Coaster! |url=http://www.themeparktourist.com/news/20220906/32950/rumour-alton-towers-planning-sw9-and-it-will-be-indoor-coaster |access-date=2023-03-20 |website=Theme Park Tourist |language=en}} for Oblivion and SW6 for Thirteen.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7940728.stm|title=New rollercoaster ride approved|date=13 March 2009|access-date=25 March 2012|newspaper=BBC News|publisher=BBC}}
In June 2012, a trademark filed by Merlin Entertainments, the parent company of Alton Towers, hinted that the new ride would be named The Smiler.{{cite web|url=http://sw7.towersstreet.com/news/sw7-name-speculation-begins/ |title=SW7 Name Speculation Begins |access-date=24 December 2012 |publisher=Towers Street |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130108201445/http://sw7.towersstreet.com/news/sw7-name-speculation-begins/ |archive-date=8 January 2013 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.ipo.gov.uk/ohim?ohimnum=E10993517 |title=Case details for Community Trade Mark E10993517 |access-date=24 December 2012 |publisher=Intellectual Property Office |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105222548/http://www.ipo.gov.uk/ohim?ohimnum=E10993517 |archive-date=5 November 2012 }} On 17 October 2012, a number of facts about the coaster were revealed to the public including its maximum speed, track length, ride time, passengers per train and ride cost. Despite the release, Alton Towers did not announce or confirm the name of the ride.{{cite press release|url=http://press.altontowers.com/news-alton-towers-resort-to-launch-world-first-rollercoaster-in-2013-11705 |title=Alton Towers Resort to launch world's first rollercoaster in 2013 |access-date=17 October 2012 |date=17 October 2012 |publisher=Alton Towers |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020003218/http://press.altontowers.com/news-alton-towers-resort-to-launch-world-first-rollercoaster-in-2013-11705 |archive-date=20 October 2012 }}
=Construction=
The site for the new ride was determined to be an area in the park being occupied by the tent that previously contained the Black Hole, a roller coaster which closed after the 2005 season.{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Black Hole|location=Alton Towers|rcdb_number=799|accessdate=25 March 2012}}{{cite web|title=Planning Permission Granted for Secret Weapon 7|url=http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/news/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1331836663|publisher=Towers Times|access-date=25 March 2012|date=15 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203003748/http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/news/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1331836663|archive-date=3 December 2013}} The park began dismantling the remaining Black Hole structure on 12 April 2012.{{cite web|url=http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/news/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1334161814&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1,9,10&|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420021630/http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/news/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1334161814&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1,9,10&|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 April 2015|title=New SW7 Promotional Material released|publisher=Towers Times|date=11 April 2012|access-date=11 April 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/news/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1334239282&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1,9,10&|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420014828/http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/news/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1334239282&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1,9,10&|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 April 2015|title=Farewell to the Black Hole Tent|date=12 April 2012|access-date=12 April 2012|publisher=Towers Times}} The first pieces of track arrived at the park in late October 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.towerstimes.co.uk/sw7/track-and-components-arrive|title=Track and components arrive|publisher=Towers Times|date=3 November 2012}} Sections of track were later moved to the construction site on 6 December 2012.{{cite web|url=http://sw7.towersstreet.com/category/construction/|title=SW7 Construction Updates|access-date=30 March 2012|publisher=Towers Street|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815235435/http://sw7.towersstreet.com/category/construction/|archive-date=15 August 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.towersstreet.com/news/2012/secret-weapon-7-vertical-construction-begins/|title=SW7 Vertical Construction Begins|access-date=7 December 2012|publisher=Towers Street|date=7 December 2012}}
In January 2013, Alton Towers officially confirmed that the ride would be called The Smiler.{{cite news|first=Nadia|last=Gilani|url=http://metro.co.uk/2013/01/21/eweve-been-framed-creepy-sheep-twitter-mystery-solved-3359300/|title=Ewe've been framed! Creepy sheep Twitter mystery solved|date=21 January 2012|access-date=21 January 2012|newspaper=Metro|publisher=Associated Newspapers}} In February 2013, the park revealed some of the ride's elements.{{cite web|url=http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/news/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1361389720&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1,11&|title=February 20th 2013 : The Smiler: Confirmed Track Changes|date=20 February 2013|access-date=20 February 2013|publisher=Towers Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420013709/http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/news/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1361389720&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1,11&|archive-date=20 April 2015|url-status=dead}} The trains arrived in March 2013, as Alton Towers began posting images on both Twitter and their official Smiler website.{{cite web|url=http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/news/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1364476349&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1,10&|title=The Smiler Trains Delivered|date=28 March 2013|access-date=28 March 2013|publisher=Towers Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424065906/http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/news/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1364476349&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1,10&|archive-date=24 April 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/altontowers/status/317244394828873728/photo/1|title=Alton Towers Twitter - The Smiler Trains|date=28 March 2013|access-date=28 March 2013|publisher=Twitter|author=Alton Towers}}{{cite web|url=http://www.the-smiler.com/latest-news/the-smiler-ride-cars-arrive/|title=The Smiler Ride Cars Arrive|access-date=28 March 2013|date=28 March 2013|publisher=Alton Towers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410084703/http://www.the-smiler.com/latest-news/the-smiler-ride-cars-arrive/|archive-date=10 April 2013|url-status=dead}} Vertical construction was completed approximately one month later, as the final piece of track was installed at the top of the first lift hill.{{cite web|url=http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/news/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1366796868&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&|title=The Smiler Track Construction Completed|date=24 April 2013|access-date=24 April 2013|publisher=Towers Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420020037/http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/news/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1366796868&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&|archive-date=20 April 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.towersstreet.com/news/2013/the-smiler-track-construction-reaches-completion/|title=The Smiler Track Construction Reaches Completion|date=24 April 2013|access-date=24 April 2013|publisher=Towers Street}}
=Marketing=
Marketing for The Smiler started around the same time as construction when, on 11 April 2012, a minisite was launched allowing visitors to register for updates on the ride's progress.{{cite web|url=http://www.altontowers.com/2013/|title=SW7 - Coming Soon to Alton Towers Resort|access-date=11 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414031247/http://www.altontowers.com/2013/|archive-date=14 April 2012|url-status=dead}} A competition to be the first to ride the rollercoaster, at this time codenamed "SW7", started in July. To enter, guests were invited to scan a QR Code with their smartphone, which subsequently redirected to Alton Towers Official The Smiler Minisite where guests entered their details.{{cite web |url=http://www.towerstimes.co.uk/sw7/want-to-ride-sw7-first/|title=Want to ride SW7 first?|access-date=27 September 2012}}
In September 2012, the park began the second stage of advertisement through the overnight spray painting of a stencil logo (which resembled a smiling face) all over the park.{{cite web|url=http://sw7.towersstreet.com/construction/19th-september-2012/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204163145/http://sw7.towersstreet.com/construction/19th-september-2012/|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 February 2013|title=SW7 Construction Update - 19th September 2012|access-date=27 September 2012}} This was followed in October with new boards around the park, new "subliminal" advertising on different sections of the main Alton Towers website, and a countdown timer on the Alton Towers mini-site.{{cite web |url=http://www.towersstreet.com/news/?subaction=showfull&id=1349080590&archive|title=SW7: World Beating Rollercoaster for 2013|access-date=1 October 2012}} The countdown timer initially gave a scheduled opening date of 16 March 2013, but was removed however on 4 January 2013, as the ride hit delays.{{cite web |url=http://www.towersstreet.com/news/2013/sw7-opening-delayed/|title=SW7 Opening Delayed?|access-date=5 January 2013}}
More overt advertising started in January 2013, when the "Smile" logo was used in various forms across the country, including billboards in London;{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/RobMillwood/status/290455466369224704|title=Is Turnham Green in West London being #getcorrected|access-date=14 January 2012}} ticket barriers at Leeds railway station;{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/ears_101/status/290759193525383168|title=More advertising at Leeds Station|access-date=14 January 2013}} projected onto various buildings including Big Ben;{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0doiBMadquc|title=Alton Towers promotional video - YouTube |website=YouTube |date=20 January 2013 |access-date=23 January 2013}} and sprayed onto flocks of sheep in areas including Leicestershire, Devon and Perthshire.{{Citation |title=The Smiler - New for 2013 at Alton Towers Resort | date=20 January 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2Qya-ULEMQ |access-date=2023-09-18 |language=en}}
The name of the roller coaster, The Smiler, was revealed on 21 January 2013, in the Metro newspaper, and the opening date was set as May (previously it was 16 March).{{cite web |url=http://press.altontowers.com/news-alton-towers-resort-baffles-the-nation-in-a-baaarmy-hoax-11714|title=Alton Towers Alton Towers Resort baffles the nation in a baaarmy hoax|access-date=21 January 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://airgates.co.uk/2013/01/21/smile-details-revealed-for-alton-towers-latest-coaster/|title=Smile! Details revealed for Alton Towers' latest coaster|access-date=21 January 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.towersstreet.com/news/2013/the-smiler-revealed/|title='The Smiler' - 2013 roller coaster officially named!|access-date=21 January 2013}}
In February 2013 a free game app was released containing a full 3D recreation of the actual ride, and a preview of the ride's merchandise was published online.{{cite tweet|number=298543302473555968|user=altontowers|title=@Jacob_Ross14 it's completely free! #TheSmilerGame |accessdate=21 February 2013|date=4 February 2013 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.the-smiler.com/the-game/|title=The Smiler - Game|access-date=27 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126061257/http://www.the-smiler.com/the-game/|archive-date=26 January 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.towersstreet.com/news/2013/the-smiler-game-released/|title=The Smiler Game Released!|access-date=28 February 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/news/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1360264498&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1,10,11&|title=Exclusive look at The Smiler merchandise|access-date=10 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420021616/http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/news/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1360264498&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1,10,11&|archive-date=20 April 2015|url-status=dead}}
John Wardley, a ride consultant on the project, confirmed in a radio interview on 19 April 2013 that The Smiler would feature more inversions than any other roller coaster in the world. Although construction had revealed this earlier,{{cite web |title=Smiler confirmed to have 14 inversions |url=https://riderater.co.uk/3053/smiler-confirmed-to-have-14-inversions/ |website=RideRater |access-date=2 March 2020 |date=4 May 2013}} the statement was the first official confirmation that The Smiler would break the inversion record.{{cite news |last1=Mellor |first1=Andrew |title=Record-breaking looper opens at Alton Towers Resort |url=http://www.amusementtoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/at_july_all_proof.pdf |access-date=31 July 2019 |work=Amusement Today |issue=4 |date=July 2013 |pages=6 |quote=Gerstlauer, has officially received the Guinness World Record status for the most inversions in a coaster anywhere in the world...}} In an earlier interview Wardley had said that The Smiler would have "...5 mind manipulating elements that play around with you on the ride, so it's more than just a physical rollercoaster."{{cite web|url=http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/news/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1361398353&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1,11&|title=The Smiler: John Wardley on Bolton FM|access-date=20 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420015423/http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/news/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1361398353&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1,11&|archive-date=20 April 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.towersstreet.com/news/2013/john-wardley-talks-the-smiler-on-bolton-fm/|title=John Wardley talks The Smiler on Bolton FM}}
From early April and throughout May, Alton Towers published videos online giving snippets of the ride's fictional backstory.{{cite web|url=http://www.the-smiler.com/videos/|title=Miles Cedars Interview|access-date=29 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607155148/http://www.the-smiler.com/videos/|archive-date=7 June 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.the-smiler.com/videos/|title=Miles Cedars Tape #1|access-date=3 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507072934/http://www.the-smiler.com/videos/|archive-date=7 May 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/altontowers/status/332134057888591872|title=The Smiler is the world's first fourteen looping coaster|access-date=9 May 2013}}{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ef45vWBBpM8|title=Smile. Always - Part 4 of 4|website=YouTube |date=13 May 2013 |access-date=15 May 2013}} This was followed by footage of weather presenter Laura Tobin riding The Smiler, live on ITV's Daybreak programme and an advertising campaign on boxes of Krave cereal.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpA7fBEUyqU|title=The Smiler - On Ride Footage|website=YouTube |date=10 May 2013 |access-date=10 May 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://oi42.tinypic.com/2wp5v5t.jpg|title=The Smiler: The world's first fourteen looping coaster|access-date=4 May 2013}}
=Opening=
Initially, The Smiler was expected to make its public debut in March 2013 for the park's opening day, but due to construction delays, the date was pushed back to 23 May 2013.{{cite news|title=The Smiler leaves many frowning...|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Smiler-leaves-frowning/story-19103981-detail/story.html#axzz2UcPao73H|access-date=28 May 2013|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=27 May 2013}} The date had to be pushed back further after technical issues were encountered during testing and a ride incident occurred during its preview event that stranded riders on the lift hill.{{cite news|last=Fletcher|first=Damien|title=Alton Towers' The Smiler breaks down on preview night leaving thrill-seekers dangling|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/alton-towers-smiler-breaks-down-1895825|access-date=27 May 2013|newspaper=The Daily Mirror|date=18 May 2013}}{{cite news|last=Hogg|first=Chris|title=Alton Towers delays opening of The Smiler after technical issues|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Alton-Towers-delays-opening-Smiler-technical/story-19056509-detail/story.html#axzz2UWTUBzdE|access-date=27 May 2013|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=22 May 2013}} Following the incident on 17 May 2013, Alton Towers explained on their website that The Smiler would not open on the originally scheduled date due to "unforeseen teething problems".{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/altontowers/status/337179100710072320|title=Due to unforeseen teething problems, The Smiler will not be open on 23rd May (Twitter)|access-date=22 May 2013}}
The ride's delayed opening initially caused controversy as many had booked advance tickets and had stayed at the Alton Towers Hotel in order to be among the first to ride the coaster.{{cite news|last=Moody|first=Jenny|title=No date set for The Smiler opening at Alton Towers|url=http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/No-date-set-for-The-Smiler-opening-at-Alton-Towers-20130524155959.htm|access-date=27 May 2013|newspaper=Burton Mail|date=24 May 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611005009/http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/No-date-set-for-The-Smiler-opening-at-Alton-Towers-20130524155959.htm|archive-date=11 June 2013}} However, Alton Towers later announced it would allow those who had made advanced bookings to change their tickets and hotel reservations free of charge.{{cite web|title=New 'Smiler' ride at Alton Towers has teething problems|url=http://www.itv.com/news/central/update/2013-05-23/new-smiler-ride-at-alton-towers-has-teething-problems/|work=ITV News|access-date=27 May 2013}} The Smiler eventually opened on 31 May 2013.{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/altontowers/status/340420548750348289|title=It's time to Join Us - The Smiler is NOW OPEN #TheSmiler |access-date=1 June 2013}}
Description
A key feature of the ride is the large, metallic spider-like structure that serves as a centrepoint for the coaster track. Called the Marmaliser, it has five legs which are responsible for manipulating riders into smiling, in accordance with the theme of the ride. It is also equipped with a wraparound screen that displays themed graphics and video. The roller coaster's track intertwines within the structure, enhancing the experience for riders.{{cite web |url=http://press.altontowers.com/news-alton-towers-resort-unveils-new-body-and-mind-rollercoaster-11725|title=Alton Towers Resort reveals new rollercoaster, The Smiler is said to combine mental and physical fear factors to 'marmalise' riders!|access-date=13 March 2013}} Five trains can operate on the ride at once, leading to a theoretical capacity of 960 riders per hour.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/03/teenage-couple-casualities-alton-towers-rollercoaster-crash- |title=Alton Towers rollercoaster crash |author=Jamie Grierson and Josh Halliday |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 June 2015 |access-date=4 June 2015}}
= Track elements =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ |
| Inversion |
|---|
| 1. Heartline roll |
| 2. Corkscrew |
| 3. Dive loop |
| 4. Dive loop |
| 5. Reverse Sidewinder |
| 6. Sidewinder |
| 7. Corkscrew |
| 8. Corkscrew |
| 9–10. Sea serpent |
| 11–12. Cobra roll |
| 13-14. Double Corkscrew |
=Ride experience=
The train dispatches from the station, playing audio of a man saying, "Join us!" The train immediately enters into a sweeping drop 180 degrees to the left. Partway through this drop, riders encounter a heartline roll, the ride's first inversion. The train then comes to a stop on block brakes, before ascending the first lift hill. Upon reaching the top, the train drops into another 180-degree right turn before banking into the second inversion, a downward corkscrew. The train drops down into the next two inversions, two consecutive dive loops before travelling over a trimmed airtime hill into the ride's largest element, a Batwing (this element consists of a sidewinder and reverse sidewinder).{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nev42bBEvPI|title=The Smiler front seat on-ride HD POV Alton Towers|date=2 June 2015|website=CoasterForce|via=YouTube|access-date=14 September 2019}}
The train then travels through another corkscrew before reaching the second set of block brakes, after a brief pause the train ascends the second lift hill, this time at a 90° vertical angle. The train then enters another drop, 180-degrees to the left, banking into a downward corkscrew. Riders then navigate through a sea serpent roll, followed by a short drop into another trimmed airtime hill where the on-ride photo is taken. The train then dives into a cobra roll. Upon exiting the cobra roll, the train twists through two consecutive corkscrews before a short left turn into the final brake run. The words "Process complete" are visible to riders as the train returns to the station.
Incidents
{{see also|Incidents at European amusement parks}}
The ride has experienced a number of structural and technical issues since its launch. The most serious incident occurred on 2 June 2015, when a loaded train collided with an empty test train, causing serious injuries to a number of riders. An additional train had recently been added to the circuit when an empty train was dispatched for a test run and stalled mid-ride due to a gust of wind. The ride's block system shut down the ride accordingly, but it was overridden by the engineers on duty, as they were unaware there was now an additional train present that had stalled. This allowed the following train, loaded with passengers, to collide with the stalled train.{{cite news|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/harrowing-story-behind-alton-towers-18347683|last=Rodger|first=James|date=2 Jun 2020|title=The harrowing story behind Alton Towers Smiler crash five years on from rollercoaster horror|work=Birmingham Mail|location=Birmingham, England|access-date=14 June 2021}}
Two of the riders sitting in the front row required leg amputations.[http://riderater.co.uk/2015/four-seriously-hurt-in-alton-towers-smiler-crash/ Four seriously hurt in Alton Towers Smiler crash] - Ride Rater. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015. Subsequently, Merlin Entertainments decided to close The Smiler, Saw – The Ride at Thorpe Park, and two other roller coasters at Chessington World of Adventures (all of which have since reopened) while safety protocols and procedures were evaluated.{{cite web|url=http://rcdb.com/11062.htm|title=Smiler - Alton Towers|work=rcdb.com|access-date=5 June 2015}}{{cite news|title=Alton Towers And Other Parks Close Major Rides|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-33025024|newspaper=BBC News|date=5 June 2015|access-date=5 June 2015}} The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) served a Prohibition Notice upon the Smiler, preventing the ride's use until remedial action had been completed.{{cite news|url=http://www.ashbournenewstelegraph.co.uk/Alton-Towers-HSE-investigation-puts-prohibition/story-26642562-detail/story.html|title=Alton Towers: HSE investigation serves prohibition notice on the Smiler|date=5 June 2015|work=Ashbourne News Telegraph}} On 27 July 2015, it was stated by Merlin Entertainments chief executive Nick Varney that The Smiler would "not be opening this summer".{{cite news |last=Hiscott |first=Graham |date=27 July 2015 |title=Alton Towers crash: The Smiler remained closed all summer as families shun the park |newspaper=Daily Mirror |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/alton-towers-crash-smiler-remain-6149349 |access-date=29 July 2015}} The Health and Safety Executive initiated a criminal investigation.{{Cite news |last=Halliday |first=Josh |date=2016-09-27 |title=Alton Towers owner fined £5m over Smiler rollercaster crash |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/sep/27/alton-towers-owner-fined-smiler-rollercaster-crash |access-date= |issn=0261-3077}}
In the incident's aftermath, Alton Towers and its owner Merlin Entertainments allegedly observed a drop in revenue and visitor numbers, which they claim influenced their decision to eliminate up to 190 jobs at the theme park.{{cite news |title=Alton Towers to axe 190 jobs due to Smiler incident |work=Express and Star |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/business/2015/11/09/alton-towers-to-axe-190-jobs-in-the-wake-of-smiler-crash/}} Six rides were closed during the 2016 season as a result of the crash.{{cite news |title=Six rides were closed during the 2016 season at Alton Towers, linked to the smiler crash |newspaper=Daily Mirror |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/alton-towers-set-close-six-6893427}} Varney released a public statement stating:
{{quote|This has been a terrible incident and a devastating day for everyone here. We have a very strong record of safe operation of our rides here at Alton Towers and it is our priority. I would like to express my sincerest regret and apology to everyone who suffered injury and distress today and to their families.
|sign=Nick Varney, speaking to PRWeek after The Smiler's crash in June 2015{{cite news|url=http://www.prweek.com/article/1350007/merlin-ceo-nick-varney-fronts-response-alton-towers-crash|title=Merlin CEO Nick Varney fronts response to Alton Towers crash|date=4 June 2015|work=PRWeek}}
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The ride eventually reopened on 19 March 2016 for the start of the 2016 season with additional safety features.{{Cite news |date=19 March 2016 |title=Alton Towers' Smiler ride reopens nine months after horror crash |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-35851291 |access-date=19 March 2016}} Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd was prosecuted by the HSE at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on 22 April 2016, in which the firm pleaded guilty.{{cite news |date=25 February 2016 |title=Smiler crash: Alton Towers owner to be prosecuted |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35658850 |access-date=3 June 2016}}{{cite news |date=22 April 2016 |title=Alton Towers admits Smiler ride safety breaches |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36111412 |access-date=3 June 2016}} On 27 September 2016, after a two-day hearing at Stafford Crown Court, Judge Michael Chambers QC fined Merlin Entertainments £5 million; the value of the fine was reduced by one third from £7.5 million as credit for the guilty plea.{{cite news |date=27 September 2016 |title=Smiler crash: Alton Towers operator Merlin fined £5m |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-37481825 |access-date=27 September 2016}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.shponline.co.uk/alton-towers-smiler-ride-crash-sentencing/|title=Alton Towers operators fined £5m in sentencing - SHP Online {{!}} Health and Safety News, Legislation, PPE, Training and CPD|date=26 September 2016|work=SHP Online {{!}} Health and Safety News, Legislation, PPE, Training and CPD|access-date=16 April 2017|language=en-US}} In September 2018, Vicky Balch and Leah Washington, who lost their legs on the ride after the crash in June 2015, sued Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd for negligence and/or breach of statutory duty.{{cite news |date=19 September 2018 |title=Alton Towers Smiler ride crash victims sue park's owners |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-45572981}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category|The Smiler}}
- [https://archive.today/20130215122601/http://www.the-smiler.com/thesmiler/ Official Alton Towers mini-site]{{Prone to spam|date=September 2012}}
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{{Succession box | title=First roller coaster with 14 inversions| before=Colossus | years=May 2013 – present| after=None}}
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{{Alton Towers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smiler}}
Category:2015 disasters in the United Kingdom
Category:Roller coasters in the United Kingdom
Category:Roller coasters operated by Merlin Entertainments