Leah Washington, 18, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and Vicky Balch, 20, from Leyland, Lancashire, were both forced to undergo leg amputations as a result of the horror crash. The Smiler reopened in March this year with 'improved safety measures' but student Miss Balch said she hoped the ride would 'be destroyed'. Leah Washington and Joe Pugh were both teenagers riding the Smiler when it crashed in. Two women who lost legs after a crash on a ride at Alton Towers are suing the park's owners, their lawyers have said. When is Eurovision and how do you get tickets? What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? Anna Wiseman, Senior Associate at Stewarts who represented Vicky Balch in the legal claim said: No amount of money will ever be able to replace what Vicky has lost. The investigation also identified areas where protocols and the training of employees should be improved. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. 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. The Alton Towers spokeswoman said a full investigation would take place into the accident. The grainy CCTV clip shows the ride smashing into an empty carriage with the same forceas a 90mph car crash. Footage of the Smiler rollercoaster seconds after the crash. Sixteen people were injured in the crash in June 2015, including Ms Washington and Vicky Balch, who both needed leg amputations. Do you know this baby? They could each receive "well in excess of 2m" in compensation if the High Court claim is successful. He added that there were 'various states of knowledge' of the fault alarm systems on the ride. They are my everything.'. Merlin said it was "on standby to conclude settlement discussions on the outstanding claims as soon as they are ready". Vicky Balch, then 19, and Leah Washington, then 17, were. Chandaben Chauhan (right) suffered internal injuries after being on a girls day out with her two daughters, one of whom accompanied her to court today, Entourage: The large legal team representing Alton Towers' owners Merlin file into Stafford Crown Court this morning. Leah's leg was later amputated and Joe had shattered knees. Emergency services were still attempting to free the last of the trapped passengers four hours after the incident, using a specially constructed platform to reach the carriage. He said there appeared to have been problems with the ride on Tuesday morning. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Ukraine soldiers shoot down enemy drones with drones of their own, Fleet-footed cop chases an offender riding a scooter, Mark Gordon arrives at Crawley Police Station after remains found, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA. Leah Washington and Joe Pugh were both teenagers riding the Smiler when it crashed in. 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. The court also heard engineers should have seen the empty carriage which was visible on CCTV cameras covering the track. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Exact date yellow weather warning for snow and ice forecast to hit UK - will you be affected? As of 1:30 p.m., all . She continued: When I said Id accept, it was such a massive weight lifted. 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. 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 university is aware of the SU's initial investigations regarding this matter and its media statement issued today," it said. Leigh Curtis, who was sitting in a nearby bar when the accident happened, described quite an eerie feel in the aftermath of the collision. The 26-year-old beautician, from Preston, Lancashire,married Dino Manciocchi, 27, in her hometown on Saturday in front of their friends and family, and the couple'sseven-month-old son Venanzio. The engineers had re-set the ride and 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. Theme park owner Merlin admitted breaching the Health and Safety Act and was fined 5m in September 2016. 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. Passengers were left trapped more than 20 feet from the ground at an angle of about 45 degrees before they were eventually freed by emergency workers and stretchered away. Guardian's Allowance weekly payments are also rising in April. The beautician wore a gorgeous floor-length plunge white gown that was altered so she could comfortably walk down the aisle whilst using her prosthetic leg. 2023 BBC. 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[email protected], Alton Towers crash victims sue 'for 2m', Cash machine fraudsters target Staffordshire banks, Cold weather warning for possible snow showers, Man jailed following fatal hit and run which killed 'devoted mother' in Crewe, Council working on new tree planting policy amid claims existing rules preventing highways planting, Major bus operator announces it will 'step in and cover' Arriva services, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Inside the enclave surrounded by pro-Russia forces, China looks at reforms to deepen Xi's control, 'The nurses wanted me to feel guilty about my abortion, From Afghan TV fame to a US factory floor. The Smiler ride itself, it was concluded, was 'well-designed' as were the computer and 'sophisticated' control systems, while the operator of the ride had followed safe working practices. #altontowers For saying it's only technical issues, this is the third air ambulance to land.. Oh dear Alton Towers. I was told the average life expectancy of someone with an amputation. ", Joe wrote on his Instagram page "What a great end to a long weekend in Venice SHE SAID YES". Two women were transferred to the Royal Stoke University hospital and two men were taken to hospitals in Coventry and Warwickshire. Joe Pugh, 18, a student at Huddersfield University, and his girlfriend Leah Washington were among the victims. 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. 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Mum in hysterics after son's Christening banner is taken 'too literally', "All of my family and friends were just in stitches", Jet2 announces new Bristol Airport destination to Greece ahead of 'busiest summer yet', It's expecting its "biggest ever summer operation" in Bristol, Police appeal for help in finding missing Bristol teen. Vicky and Dino, who got engaged in December 2018 after a year of dating, had originally planned to tie the knot inFlorence in September last year, however they had to put their nuptials on hold following the ongoing pandemic. When is Eurovision and how do you get tickets? Alton Towers' owner, Merlin Entertainments, saw its share price plunge when it emerged the Smiler had been involved in a collision. Leah showed off her engagement ring in a photo from Venice on her Instagram page. Its nothing like that. Alton Towers owners, Merlin, admitted being at fault and a 5 million fine was imposed by the courts. Alton Towers, in Staffordshire, which is owned by Merlin Entertainments, was fined 5million over the Smiler crash in 2015. "Whilst money cannot make up for what they have endured over the past three years, financial security can at least help the victims to lead a full and active life. Alton Towers owner, Merlin Entertainments, saw its share price plunge when it emerged the Smiler had been involved in a collision. Its been four-and-a-half years. pic.twitter.com/aX8mBDaX7K. 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Victims of the Alton Towers rollercoaster crash have received their first insurance payments. does not see the point in being angry about what happened. The collision on the two-year-old attraction occurred when one carriage containing 16 visitors collided with an empty one on a low section of the track. Read about our approach to external linking. "There are lots of meetings and specialists you have to see. "The students involved further wish to apologise unreservedly to those affected by the Smiler incident for any offence or distress they may have unwittingly caused.". "I spent the next two days just sighing with relief. Alton Towers crash victim Vicky Balch ties the knot in 'emotional' wedding ceremony - Mirror Online. Joe Pugh, 18, also from Barnsley and Daniel Thorpe, 28, from Buxton, Derbyshire, also suffered serious leg injuries, along with 49-year-old Chandaben Chauhan. Leah and Vicky Balch, of Leyland, Lancashire, who also lost a leg as a result of the crash, later announced they were suing Merlin for negligence and or breach of statutory duty. The Smiler ride at Alton Towers Read More Related Articles. An independent investigation by the Health and Safety Executive is ongoing. Vicky later gave birth to the couple's first child Venanzio back in Marchthrough an emergency C-Section. 'I had no idea he was going to propose and couldn't believe it when he asked me. "The claimants' lawyer has confirmed to us that this is a purely procedural filing to preserve their clients' rights in relation to the standard three-year limitation period, and that certain claims are not yet ready for settlement due to their complex nature.". Vicky Balch, 23, and Leah Washington, 20, were in the front seats of the. "In the meantime, interim payments and other support have been provided to aid Vickys rehabilitation.". Read about our approach to external linking. When we went on, when we were queuing, it said: Weve got a couple of technical difficulties and then probably 10 or 15 minutes later the ride carried on. It faces a multi-million pound fine and potentially millions more in compensation claims from the victims following a Health and Safety Executive prosecution. They described the aftermath as being like something out of a "horror movie. ITV Dancing On Ice judge Christopher announced Jayne is out of surgery - and it was a success. When I got the payout, it made me realise that I had to live with this disability for ever. Its affected literally every aspect of my life. ITV Dancing On Ice's Christopher Dean issues Jayne Torvill health announcement. 20:40 GMT 24 Oct 2021 Washington has said she feared she would die in the moments after the crash when she looked down and saw metal bars protruding into her legs. Vicky was one of 16 injured when the Smiler ride hit an empty carriage on the tracks in June 2015. Leah was on a date with boyfriend Joe Pugh, 18, when the accident happened. The pair then began planning their special day and Vicky admitted she would be using the payout money to fund her dream wedding. Speaking about her teaching assistant apprenticeship, she told MailOnline: "I'm on my feet a lot, bending down. 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. Its entirely possible that Leahs claim will run into millions., And Leah says: You cant put a price on losing a limb. Im always aching.". When is Eurovision and how do you get tickets? What science tells us about the afterlife. ASHBURN, Va. (7News) A tractor-trailer carrying 8,000 gallons of fuel overturned on Route 7 in Loudoun County early Wednesday morning, causing significant traffic delays. Its not really a life, but it's something I'll have to live with', Leah says she is struggling with her training course because of her disability, Judge Michael Chambers QC described the accident Leah went through as a 'catastrophic failure', Alton Towers has only made interim payments to cover Leah's medical and physio bills - but the full compensation figure is still being assessed, Emergency services raced to the scene, which saw two victims lose a leg, Firefighters and emergency workers free passengers from the Smiler ride, Alton Towers victim Leah Washington shares pictures of her horror injuries as she reveals Im living in agony, Putin's thugs close in on ravaged Ukrainian city with thousands fleeing as intense fighting rages, Partygate buster Sue Gray's son 'boasting about mum on campaign trail as he tries to unseat Boris Johnson', Suella Braverman vows to stop the boats with new law to crack down on migrants using human rights laws to stay in UK, Runaway mum Constance Marten was 'groomed' by evil Nigerian sect leader, Man 'naked and covered in blood' arrested before mum found 'murdered' at home as neighbours reveal hearing screams, Rishi Sunaks new bill to end the Channel migrant crisis is crucial for the Tories, Right, Brexits done.