News: Accident at Alton Towers sends six people to the hospital

Posted at 12:28 AM EDT (0428 GMT)

Jul. 21st, 2006 -- An accident on Alton Towers' Runaway Mine Train roller coaster yesterday sent six people to the hospital and left 23 others with cuts and bruises. The accident happened when the two front cars on a train disconnected and rolled back into the other nine cars.

Four guests were taken to the hospital following the incident, while two others sought hospital care on their own. Two of the victims suffered from whiplash, abdominal, or spinal injuries. Runaway Mine Train remains closed while both Alton Towers and the Health and Safety Executive investigate the collision. It is unknown when the ride will reopen.

See the BBC and The Guardian for more.