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Riders stuck on Alton Towers’ Smiler rollercoaster for 30 minutes

More than 30 people were stuck on the Smiler rollercoaster at Alton Towers after debris reportedly fell from a carriage.

The ride had to be closed after it stopped at midday yesterday.

The Merlin Entertainments-owned theme park said all visitors were evacuated from the ride in 30 minutes.

The incident at the Staffordshire attraction came 14 months after five people were seriously hurt in a crash on the Smiler ride.

A statement from the theme park said : “Alton Towers Resort stopped the Smiler to investigate claims a piece of debris had fallen from a carriage.

“At no time were guests on the ride at any risk and all were safely removed promptly by staff in line with our standard procedures.”

The ride was re-opened at 4.22pm after The Smiler was declared safe after an inspection by the park’s technical team.

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