Following the crash in June last year on the Smiler rollercoaster, two of the worst injured had legs amputated while a further three people were left with life-changing injuries.
During a brief hearing at North Staffordshire justice centre this Friday morning, Merlin Entertainments pleaded guilty to health and safety laws, leaving it open to an unlimited fine which will be set at a later date.
However, legal sources believe following the crash, which saw a total of 16 people injured, the fine could run into millions of pounds as the theme park’s owners become the first to admit a criminal breach of health and safety laws in the UK.
The Smiler has since reopened in March, following an admission in November by Merlin Entertainments that the crash has been caused by human error as an operator decided to override a safety system.
It also admitted in November that it would be shedding up to 190 jobs as a result of reduced visitor numbers in the wake of the crash.
