Lancaster X Factor star’s Alton Towers crash shock

Paul Akister was having a day out with friends at Alton Towers in Staffordshire and heading for the queue for the Smiler ride when there was a collision between two carriages.

Two men and two women in their mid-twenties, believed to be two couples, suffered “significant lower limb injuries” and have been taken to hospital.

In a post on his official Facebook page, X Factor star Paul said his thoughts were with the injured people.

A director of Alton Towers described it as “the most serious incident” in the park’s history.

The passengers were trapped for several hours on the ride, about 25 feet (7.6m) above the ground.

The accident involved a moving carriage with 16 passengers and an empty, stationary carriage which came together on a low section of the track.

Paul, who reached the live finals of TV talent show The X Factor in 2014, was out for the day with his friends Mike Zorab, Ryan Agnew and Darren Laurie.

On his Facebook page, Paul posted: “Was having a good time at Alton Towers then there was a crash on the Smiler.

“We were just about to go on it too.

“My thoughts are with everyone on the carriage.

“Just makes you think though take nothing for granted.”

The £18m rollercoaster, which boasts a world record-breaking 14 loops, has been closed on two occasions because of safety concerns since opening two years ago.

An Alton Towers spokeswoman said: “The emergency services including the air ambulance are now in attendance and are assisting resort staff as they work to evacuate those 16 people still on the ride.

“There will be a full investigation once all the guests have been evacuated, which is our priority.”

Three air ambulances attended the scene together with four ambulances and several senior paramedic managers.