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This images show how Alton Towers has been left resembling a ghost town after visitors shunned the attraction following the shocking rollercoaster crash that left two young women needing legs amputated.

Empty rides and stalls are spotted throughout the Staffordshire park, while few attractions have any queue whatsoever.

Summer is normally peak season for the park, but bosses have admitted there has been a major slump in number since the horrific accident on The Smiler ride.

Leah Washington and Vicky Balch were both forced to have one of their legs amputated after the ride they were on crashed on June 2 this year.

Three other people, including Leah's boyfriend Joe Pugh, were also seriously injured in the crash - which has led to the ride being closed for an unspecified period of time.

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While the theme park usually attracts 2.5 million visitors each year with the summer holidays being their busiest period.

But on Thursday the Staffordshire resort appeared deserted as electronic displays informed visitors there was a "0 minute" wait for most of their rides.

The park's most popular rollercoasters such as Nemesis, Oblivion and Air usually have a minimum two hour waiting time during busy periods.

However, adrenaline junkies arriving at the park were able to jump on the rides in less than five minutes - and could do so throughout the entire day.

The park even closed an hour early at 5pm due to the dwindling number of visitors - despite the good weather.

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Many thrill-seekers admitted that the Smiler crash was at the back of their minds and were delighted at the small queues.

Emma and David Franks, both 43, from nearby Cheadle, Staffs., said: "This isn't a far trip at all for us.

"Obviously we were aware of the recent attention because of the crash, but it hasn't put us off

"If anything we thought it might be quiet and we could get on all the rides.

"Usually you spend most of your day queuing - but not today. Its brilliant."

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The couple, who were on a day out with their daughters Katie, 20, and Holly, 15, explained how the girls love the rides as much as they always have done.

Katie, a Psychology student from the University of Liverpool, had returned home for the summer break to spend time with her family.

She said: "Me and my sister love it here.

"I've been on The Smiler in the past - it was a brilliant ride.

"I always feels safe here."

Numerous "fast-track" kiosks - a chargeable facility that allows people to queue jump and go on more rides - throughout the park were also closed.

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The queues were so short that people were admitted straight onto some rides while fast food outlets and areas of the park grounds also appeared quiet.

Courtyard Tavern, a food court in the Mutiny Bay area of the park, usually attracts large crowds, but only five of the 30 tables were occupied.

One staff member admitted the park was quieter than normal since the tragedy, which also left 16 people injured.

He said: "We've had additional employees on many of the top attractions as we were expecting a higher volume of visitors on such a sunny day.

"Its sad to see really, we've never known it this quiet."

Beth Taylor and Cara Downing, both 20-year-old students from Birmingham, added: "The day has been great.

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"We got on all our favourite rides no problem at all. We're dizzy from going on Nemesis so many times. I've been before and we only managed it once.

"I think we've been on it about 12 times today."

Jordan Butler, 37, from Boston, Massachusetts, USA, said: "I'm here visiting family in the UK.

"They knew I was coming here and warned me of the dangers, but I told them that the flight here from America or the drive from their house was probably more dangerous."

Tracey Conway, a full-time mum from Bodmin, Cornwall, made the five-hour trip with her husband Paul and their children, Taylor, seven; Scarlett, four, and Maisie, one.

She added: "Paul and I don't bother with the big rides when we bring the kids with us.

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"A lot of the kiddie rides had waiting times of up to 35 minutes, but I saw that the main rides had virtually no queues.

"Still, the queue times are better than normal, which is ideal when you have three young children with you.

"You can do more with your day, which keeps the little ones happy."

A spokeswoman for Alton Towers said: "We have already confirmed visitor numbers are currently lower than we would expect for the summer holidays.

"That means that at the moment all of our guests are experiencing shorter queues than normal.

"We have more than 50 fantastic rides and attractions and right now we've also got the CBeebies Land Meet & Tweet activity taking place which is perfect for families.

"Everyone at Alton Towers is committed to giving people a great time and we look forward to welcoming guests for a wonderful day out or short break this summer."