Alton Towers' £18m Smiler closes after wheels come off
Alton Towers' £18 million rollercoaster The Smiler has closed again after a wheel came off and hit people who were on the ride.
An investigation has been launched after some 'small, plastic guide wheels' came off the ride as it was moving up a slope yesterday afternoon, prompting it to be closed.
Two people were looked after by park staff but did not require treatment from the ambulance service.
A spokeswoman said: "As the ride train was being pulled up the second lift hill, some of the small, plastic guide wheels that are used to keep the chain inside the chain guard became detached.
"These were caught beneath the track in the safety netting but regrettably several were flicked into the guests sitting in the front row of the train. Two of the guests were attended to by park staff and all four remained on park for the rest of the afternoon."
She added a full investigation was being carried out before a decision is made on reopening the ride.
"We are sorry for any disappointment the ride's temporary closure is causing but the health and safety of all our visitors is our absolute priority," she said.
It is the latest problem to hit the multi-million pound 14-loop rollercoaster.
It closed in July after a piece fell of the track, while technical problems forced a five day closure in August.
The ride first opened in May.
Some visitors to Alton Towers expressed their dismay on Twitter that the ride was closed today. One visitor wrote: "The day we go to Alton Towers and the Smiler is not opening all day due to technical problems."
