Two carriages of Alton Towers rollercoaster Smiler collide

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Update: Four people have been seriously injured after two carriages of a roller-coaster at theme park Alton Towers collided this afternoon. 
 
There were 16 people in one carriage of the Smiler ride, and the other carriage was empty and stationary. A 999 call was made just after 2pm today, and four ambulances arrived on the scene shortly afterwards. The air ambulance is also attending. 
 
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "There are 16 patients on board The Smiler requiring triage, four of which have reported serious injuries.

“Ambulance staff and medics are working quickly with resort staff to gain access to the seriously injured.”

Staff at the amusement park in Staffordshire are currently evacuating the ride and area. 
 
In a statement Alton Towers confirmed the incident had taken place, adding: "To ensure the safe and timely evacuation of guests, a platform is being constructed. This will take a few minutes but will enable us to proceed more quickly.

"There will be a full investigation once we have recovered the guests, who are our priority."

Just two days ago Alton Towers tweeted that it was the second anniversary of The Smiler ride, which holds the Guinness World Record for the most loops in a roller-coaster (there are 14 in total). 

According to the Birmingham Mail, the ride has been beset with problems since it opened, including breaking down on its preview night – leaving journalists stranded at a steep angle for half an hour. 
 
It was also shut for four days in July that year after a piece fell off the track and 48 people had to be rescued.
 
It was shut again in August and November 2013, and 100 people were stuck in the air when the ride got stuck once again in March 2014.