Leah Washington and Joe Pugh, who were in the front row, are circled, 'We will not give up. Read about our approach to external linking. A VICTIM of the Alton Towers rollercoaster crash told how she's living in agony and has been left constantly aching two years on from losing a leg in the smash. The men and women, some of whom could have been killed, faced the theme park's bosses who were told they could face a 10million fine - plus compensation to its victims - for the disaster on June 2, 2015. He said: I just wanted to be there for her, taking her mind off things. Leah Washington and her boyfriend Joe . EXCLUSIVE: The two young women could get around 2million each, according to . She told the Sunday Mirror: 'It will be very emotional and there will be lots of tears. My life as a wife and mum will be so different now. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Leah was on a date with boyfriend Joe Pugh, 18, when the accident happened, The teen's left leg was so badly crushed doctors amputated it below the knee, Those on the ride suffered injuries all over their bodies - here a badly cut finger is stitched up, A bloodied finger is pictured here as victims suffered horrific injuries in the crash, Leah's leg was left badly crushed and doctors were forced to amputate below the knee, Leah was speaking to Channel 5's documentary Where Theres Blame, Theres a Claim, Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd, which owns Alton Towers, reopened the Smiler rollercoaster after several months despite the horrific incident, Brave Leah said: 'I didnt think it would be as hard as it is. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. ", Joe wrote on his Instagram page "What a great end to a long weekend in Venice SHE SAID YES". Balch, who also lost a leg in the incident, has previously said she wanted the ride to shut for good. For other inquiries, Contact Us. In its investigation, the safety watchdog found that a 'near-gale' may have been to blame for the empty carriage failing to clear the Cobra Loop in the first place, following an early problem with one of the ride's lifts. Daniel Thorpe, 27, from Buxton in Derbyshire, was treated for a collapsed lung and lower leg injuries. "I didnt think it would be as hard as it is. CCTV shows horrific moment Alton Towers ride carriages smash into each other 'like 90mph car crash', Alton Towers Smiler crash victims pay tribute to Drayton Manor schoolgirl, Watch: Delighted passengers queue to go on The Smiler as it reopens, BBC Breakfast star Charlie Stayt halts show to warn Lenny Henry 'you shouldn't say that', Charlie was hosting BBC Breakfast on Thursday - but warned Lenny: "You really shouldn't say that. It has taken full responsibility for the incident and continues to co-operate with the ongoing Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation. He said: 'The staff had come to distrust at that stage the fault signal on occasions and hence they thought that the one that was showing was an error. Mr Thorogood said: 'One first empty train was sent to establish the lift was operating normally but, unknown to those present, this train failed to clear the loop - with which this case is unfortunately and sadly concerned. Leah Washington and Joe Pugh were both teenagers riding the Smiler when it crashed in. The 24-year-old was told about the pay-out last week when Merlin, owners of the Staffordshire theme park, agreed to settle her claim. He added: 'The fault is with the defendant for not devising a scheme for not guiding the work of the engineers.'. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? A woman who lost her leg in a rollercoaster crash at Alton Towers has received a multi-million pound payout four years on. 2023 BBC. Alton Towers Smiler crash victims pay tribute to Drayton Manor schoolgirl; Joe tells the documentary: "I could just see blood, bone . Joe Pugh has received his final settlement from the theme park while his girlfriend will have to wait until next year for her compensation. The students have apologised for causing any offence, Joe Pugh (second from right) and his girlfriend Leah Washington (second from left) have both tweeted about the fancy dress outfits, Leah Washington, whose leg was amputated, tweeted at the same time as her boyfriend Joe Pugh, The students wore homemade rollercoaster seats strapped to their backs, Alton Towers operator Merlin was fined 5m, Harry: I always felt different to rest of family, US-made cheese can be called 'gruyere' - court, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, Mbappe breaks PSG goal record in win over Nantes, Walkie Talkie architect Rafael Violy dies aged 78, Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over. @altontowers not what I expected to see today.. 2 carriage crashed into each other on the Smiler!!! Both have been undergoing rehabilitation for their injuries. There has been a series of incidents on the ride since it opened in May 2013. LOUDON COUNTY, Va. (7News) A Loudoun County road is closed Thursday to repair a traffic signal pole following an overnight crash. 'There was nobody, no individual who had to sign off and take responsibility for that event. An arctic maritime airmass will sweep across the UK from Monday, Harry Potter star supports JK Rowling and wishes people would 'just listen', Evanna Lynch, who is best known for her role as Luna Lovegood in Harry Potter, has defended the author JK Rowling following her controversial comments in 2020, National Lottery results draw LIVE: Winning Lotto numbers on Saturday, March 4, Child Benefit payments to increase from next month - here are the new weekly rates and all the details. Sixteen people were injured when their carriage collided with an empty one on a low section of the ride, which can reach speeds of up to 50mph. Judge Michael Chambers QC said the crash on the 18m attraction was a "catastrophic failure and a "needless and avoidable accident in which those who were injured were lucky not to be killed.". One had then overridden a computer system 'block-stop' which they believed had halted the ride in error, sending a full 16-seater rollercoaster car around the track and into the empty carriage. A couple seriously injured in a rollercoaster crash at Alton Towers have announced their engagement. "Regrettably, where such serious injuries are sustained, it can take many years before the extent of losses can be established.". Some people said they had experienced problems on the ride just hours before the crash. I kept saying to Dino, Its over, I cant believe its all over.. 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Alton Towers crash victim has collapsed lung and fractured leg Daniel Thorpe, 27, was named on social media by his father as having been in front row of Smiler ride when it collided with test. She has described the "stressful and depressing" journey to get compensation but is now focusing on planning her wedding. He said there appeared to have been problems with the ride on Tuesday morning. Merlin Entertainments said the ride. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Kaya Terry For Mailonline, New heartbreak for Alton Towers Smiler crash survivor Vicky Balch as coronavirus forces her to postpone the dream Italian wedding she funded from her compensation payout after losing her leg, Alton Towers amputee, 25, announces she is expecting a baby with her fiance five years after losing her leg in rollercoaster disaster, Alton Towers amputee Vicky Balch, 25, gives birth to baby boy called Venanzio six years after she lost her leg in horrific Smiler ride accident at theme park, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Dozens stuck in car park as staff refuses to open gate for woman, Incredible footage of Ukrainian soldiers fighting Russians in Bakhmut, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' I had to face that this was going to be something I was going to have to live with for the rest of my life. What science tells us about the afterlife. I'm A Celebrity 2019: Fears show could be cancelled due to huge bush fires in Australia, Mum's 'life-changing' baby wipe hack is stunning parents, DWP: Every one-off payment the government is sending out this March, Eligible people are entitled to several grants and benefits this month, Primark's cross-body bags similar to 3.4k Dior version wowing savvy shoppers. The mother-of-one said she was 'emotional' on the lead up to the big day and 'wouldn't change' anything about her life because she wouldn't have her beloved husband or their son, who is also known as Vinnie. Vicky Balch, 23, and Leah Washington, 20, were in the front seats of the Smiler ride which rammed into a stationary carriage in June 2015. Merlin said it was "on standby to conclude settlement discussions on the outstanding claims as soon as they are ready". She captioned apicture of the pair: ''Can't believe my best friend asked me to marry him on Friday. I didnt think it would be as hard as it is. Chanda Chauhan, 49, from Wednesbury, had surgery after suffering internal injuries. She doesnt deserve this and we dont want to go through life watching her struggle., Legal expert Deborah Saini comments: There were failings on the part of Alton Towers and that means they can claim compensation. People hear Ive got money and think it must be like winning the lottery. I want lots of candles and fairylights.. The court heard Varney, a father-of-four, took home a 733,000 pay packet in the same year as the Smiler crash. Do you know this baby? But the company has been criticised for putting profits over people and keeping the ride open even in the face of the appalling injuries sustained on it. The defendant is ultimately responsible for these errors though they were made by individuals.'. People ask if Im happy with it and its difficult to answer. 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Victims, many with visible scars, were at Stafford Crown Court for the two-day sentencing hearing and heard how a series of blunders led to the crash. Staff - under pressure to keep the ride in almost constant use and offered bonuses to keep it running - had not even read the manual for the 18million rollercoaster. ', Fleet of buses enters Mariupol to evacuate citizens, Aftermath: These are the damaged Smiler carriages, which show how the ride buckled with the force of the collision, Shocking past: The major crash on the Smiler in June 2015 (pictured) in which five people were seriously injured, Rescue: The victims were stuck for up to four hours, some were left unconscious by the crash and lost significant amounts of blood. This is the horrifying moment The Smiler crashed at Alton Towers leaving 16 injured including two young women who later had legs amputated in the worst British rollercoaster crash for. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Her parents had to move house to a bungalow with wheelchair access and she needs physiotherapy and prosthetic legs. Im not independent any more at all. And Vicky revealed in November that she had been given a multi-million pound payout for her injuries. [3] Blood everywhere. Two women were transferred to the Royal Stoke University hospital and two men were taken to hospitals in Coventry and Warwickshire. THIS is the moment a Smiler rollercoaster smashed into the back of another carriage at Alton Towers and left two teenagers needing leg amputations. But that money doesnt go to the victims so Leah and Joe have been mounting a substantial compensation claim. Putting names to archive photos, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, In photos: India's disappearing single-screen cinemas. He . Alton Towers' owner, Merlin Entertainments, saw its share price plunge when it emerged the Smiler had been involved in a collision. Alton Towers Smiler Victims Pictured Together For The First Time Since Crash; Modern World Driving Children to Despair. What science tells us about the afterlife. Two women who lost legs after a crash on a ride at Alton Towers are suing the park's owners, their lawyers have said. They are my everything.'. "I spent the next two days just sighing with relief. Lawyer Paul Paxton said: "Our clients suffered life-changing injuries as a result of the accident. A court hearing in April this year was told Merlin had conducted an internal investigation following the incident, which established that a worker manually 'overrode' the ride's governing computer system. Read about our approach to external linking. Sixteen people had to be rescued after it broke down during a press launch in its opening month. Interim payments have since been paid to cover Leah's medical and physio bills to date, but the full compensation figure is still being assessed. By Martin Robinson, Uk Chief Reporter For Mailonline, Published: 05:33 EST, 26 September 2016 | Updated: 15:25 EST, 26 September 2016. Dino, a pizza company owner, had laid rose petals and heart shaped balloons on the bed before popping the question. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. "I still dont think Ive fully come to terms with everything that's happened. A Merlin spokesman said: "From the outset we have admitted liability and have engaged fully at all times to achieve settlement for all the claimants as quickly as possible. 'The problem was that the head-wind which that train could not overcome. Lawyers for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have said the 1.1-kilometre Smiler, which opened in 2013, never had 'a proper settled system' for staff to follow when carriages stopped on-track. The grainy CCTV clip shows the ride smashing into an empty carriage with the same forceas a 90mph car crash. Emergency services eventually rescued 16 people trapped on the rollercoaster at a 45-degree angle. Two teenagers involved in the Alton Towers rollercoaster crash were on their first official date, it emerged today. Joe suffered shattered kneecaps in the accident. Manufactured by Gerstlauer, it opened in 2013 as the world's first Gerstlauer Infinity Coaster. Collision course: Swinging into the picture moments before impact on the left, the Smiler packed with people circled in blue on the right plummets towards the empty carriage circled in red, Carnage: The two trucks collide like a 90mph car crash and they became meshed together, crushing the people in the front row - two of whom later had legs amputated, Blunder: This footage seconds before the crash shows how the ride was stopped but then set off again when an engineer ignored a warning on the ride's computer system, Scale model: The Health and Safety Executive were able to plot the speed and power of the impact in Britain's worst rollercoaster crash for years.