It was really stressful and depressing. Sixteen people had to be rescued after it broke down during a press launch in its opening month. Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? I had to think about the help Id need, even at the end of my life. There were 'near gale' wind speeds of 46mph on day of crash - but Smiler should not run at more than 34mph. Alton Towers Smiler Crash: Injured Teen Couple 'Were On First - Yahoo! They described the aftermath as being like something out of a "horror movie. Joe, who broke both kneecaps and had his little finger snapped off by The Smiler ride accident , has received an estimated 100,000 pay-off, while Leah Washington, whose left leg was badly crushed and amputated above the knee, should receive more than 2 million. Danny Simm, a radio presenter on 96.5 Bolton FM who appears to have been at the amusement park, tweeted: People unconscious, knocked out. "There are lots of meetings and specialists you have to see. People ask if Im happy with it and its difficult to answer. When the Smiler reopens, it will include new safety measures including additional CCTV cameras and an enhanced safety process requiring a senior member of staff to authorise the manual overrides that caused the Smiler crash. 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. Lawyers said Meera Chauhan, 52, and her daughter Vanisha Singh, 33, from Walsall, who were also injured in the crash, were preparing their own legal battle. 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. My life as a wife and mum will be so different now. Theres ups and downs in any relationship and this makes ours a bit more complicated. Judge says disaster aggravated by difficulties emergency services had getting to victims left in mangled ride for almost four hours, 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!' 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. For the latest news in and around Bristol, visit and bookmark Bristol Live's homepage. The harrowing story behind Alton Towers Smiler crash five years on 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. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. "I come home from work and all I want to do is get in bed. They described the aftermath as being like something out of a "horror movie. #altontowers For saying it's only technical issues, this is the third air ambulance to land.. Oh dear Alton Towers. Two women who lost legs after a crash on a ride at Alton Towers are suing the park's owners, their lawyers have said. 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 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.". The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. At least 16 were injured and five people were seriously hurt when it smashed into a broken down carriage after a series of blunders. ', Judge Michael Chambers QC, the Recorder of Stafford, asked: 'Has anyone resigned as a result of the incident?' When I got the payout, it made me realise that I had to live with this disability for ever. Students who dressed up as a rollercoaster and called themselves the "7 legless" have apologised to victims of the Alton Towers crash. "The university expects to receive a full report from the SU on the conduct of the event on 17 October and the future of the event itself.". Alton Towers owner pleads guilty over Smiler rollercoaster crash "The university is aware of the SU's initial investigations regarding this matter and its media statement issued today," it said. 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. I was told the average life expectancy of someone with an amputation. 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. 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. Read about our approach to external linking. View our online Press Pack. Richardson said the first responders appeared to be more concerned with clearing people away from the ride than reaching the injured passengers. Something went wrong, please try again later. Read about our approach to external linking. Leah dreamed of becoming a teacher, but she says that her disability is proving a barrier to the job she's always wanted. Later in the day we ate lunch and that was when the incident occurred.. She sometimes says thanks when I dont even notice Ive done anything extra. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? Alton Towers Smiler crash victims Vicky Balch and Leah - mirror The victims of the Alton Towers rollercoaster crash have been pictured together for the first time since the horrific incident. It concluded that the defendant, Merlin, fell 'far short' when it came to governing the inevitable need for engineers from the park's technical service's department to fix faults on the ride. Joe Pugh, 18, a student at Huddersfield University, and his girlfriend Leah Washington were among the victims. Their front carriage on The Smiler rollercoaster hit a broken-down carriage on the track with the force of a 90 mph car crash. The court also heard engineers should have seen the empty carriage which was visible on CCTV cameras covering the track. Alton Towers Smiler crash: Amputation a 'relief' says victim Indicating a guilty plea to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act, Merlin's barrister told the previous hearing that the company accepted additional measures could have been taken to guard against safety risks. Joe Pugh, from Barnsley in South Yorkshire tweeted: "How awful and disrespectful can people get? Four people suffered serious leg injuries and were left suspended eight metres off the ground for several hours after a collision between two carriages on a rollercoaster at Alton Towers amusement park. The University of Nottingham said it had "liaised closely" with the students' union since it became aware of the conduct of those attending the event. No amount will give me my leg back or the life I would have had.. Speaking to Mirror Online, she said: Its hard being asked how many children you want, thinking about whether youll be able to use a prosthetic when youre older, when youll be in a wheelchair. He said settlements relied on receiving certain information from claimants, and Merlin had "provided appropriate support including interim payments while the assessments continue". "However I am extremely pleased that this settlement will provide financial security for her to help her live the rest of her life to the full and maximise her potential. As of 1:30 p.m., all . Police appeal as exotic birds dumped near Worksop, Police warn residents as allotments targeted in near Worksop, Reason why jets blasted over Sutton evealed, New flood warning services launched for River Meden, Police appeal after stolen tools recovered, Plans for fast food outlets and a bar outside Motorpoint Arena, 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. September 11, 2015, 1:35 AM. He said: I just wanted to be there for her, taking her mind off things. 'Although I've been through a lot, I wouldn't change what happened because I probably wouldn't have Dino or Vinnie. It is located in the X-Sector area of the park. Passengers had to be cut free from wreckage and airlifted to hospital after carriage carrying 16 passengers collided with empty one. 'You're not on your own up there': Mother's heartbreaking Fighting for life: Distraught mother shares harrowing Court shown horrifying moment The Smiler crashed in worst rollercoaster disaster for years, Impact of packed ride smashing into an empty carriageequivalent to 'a family car of 1.5 tons having collided at about 90mph', Victims were 'suspended (in mid air) for several hours'and suffered 'very significant blood loss' leading to loss of limbs. I hope I get it right. I want lots of candles and fairylights.. Air ambulances landing now, people still stuck.. 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. Alton Towers Smiler crash: Victims' disgust at fancy dress However, he added that there was 'absolutely no evidence of a task analysis-based approach for engineering work, in particular in dealing with ride faults'. Putting names to archive photos, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, In photos: India's disappearing single-screen cinemas. Alton Towers Smiler ride crash caused by human error, theme park says Witnesses described hearing a huge sound, like a car crash when the carriages came together on the Smiler attraction on Tuesday afternoon. Alton Towers remains closed for third day as health and safety Stock in the FTSE-100 firm dropped 3.46% to 444.3p a share after opening this morning at 462.6p a share. Each of the top of the range legs with a microprocessor knee joint can cost up to 80,000 and last about eight years. 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. does not see the point in being angry about what happened. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Joe tells the documentary: I could just see blood, bone and flesh splattered on the carriage in front., Leah says: I remember saying to you Will you hold my hand and you said I cant my fingers hanging off.. With 14 inversions, The Smiler holds the world record for most inversions on a roller coaster. 'The problem was that the head-wind which that train could not overcome. Reunited: The Four Victims Of Alton Towers' 'The Smiler' Crash Pictured Vicky Balch is now going to focus on planning her wedding, Sign up to our free email alerts for the top Bristol Voices stories sent straight to your e-mail. Footage of the Smiler rollercoaster seconds after the crash. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. 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. Leah Washington, 19, from Barnsley, lost her leg along with another young passenger in the disaster. Victims of Alton Towers Smiler crash at court to hear punishment ITV Dancing On Ice judge Christopher announced Jayne is out of surgery - and it was a success. "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.". Latest news and stories from the West Midlands, "catastrophic failure and a "needless and avoidable accident in which those who were injured were lucky not to be killed.". 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. Alton Towers has confirmed its flagship roller coaster the Smiler will . And Vicky revealed in November that she had been given a. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. 2023 BBC. ", 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, China looks at reforms to deepen Xi's control, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Inside the enclave surrounded by pro-Russia forces, 'The nurses wanted me to feel guilty about my abortion, From Afghan TV fame to a US factory floor. Leah Washington told her 26,000 Instagram followers about the engagement, Joe Pugh, who was 19 when the crash happened, and Leah Washington, then 18, continued dating, 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. Alton Towers Smiler crash victims Vicky Balch and Leah Washington sue theme park owners for millions of pounds. It really was shocking. 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. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. ITV Dancing On Ice's Christopher Dean issues Jayne Torvill health announcement. An Alton Towers spokesman confirmed a decision had been taken to keep the park closed, and said that guests with pre-booked tickets and those arriving at the theme park would have the choice of a . Victims who lost limbs, broke bones and suffered internal injuries in the disaster relieved their ordeal as they faced the theme park's bosses at Stafford Crown Court today. Alton Towers owner fined 5m over Smiler rollercaster crash, Alton Towers owner pleads guilty over Smiler rollercoaster crash, Alton Towers crash victim says bionic leg has transformed her life, Alton Towers Smiler crash footage released for first time, Alton Towers ride reopens despite protests, Moment of Alton Towers Smiler crash CCTV video, Alton Towers crash victim learns to walk again on prosthetic leg video, Alton Towers crash victim says amputation was a relief, Alton Towers Smiler ride victims meet 'amazing' rescuers at ceremony, Alton Towers: footage of ride seconds after crash - video, Alton Towers crash victim Leah Washington feared she would die on the Smiler. In a statement, the University of Nottingham Students' Union, said: "The costume was in no way intended to reference the tragedy that occurred on the Smiler rollercoaster at Alton Towers. Me, Dinos mum and my best friends ended up crying. 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. Alton Towers, in Staffordshire, which is owned by Merlin Entertainments, was fined 5million over the Smiler crash in 2015. Alton Towers Smiler rollercoaster crash video shows horror moment ride The pair then began planning their special day and Vicky admitted she would be using the payout money to fund her dream wedding. Vicky said: I dont think Im ever going to get real closure. But at least now I can live my life. ALTON Towers Smiler crash victim Vicky Balch has married her fianc in an "emotional" wedding ceremony six years after losing her leg. Im always aching.". She received thousands of likes and wrote: "So this happened yesterday I SAID YES. The accident in June 2015 was put down to human error and Alton Towers owner Merlin Attractions was fined 5million for health and safety breaches. Its affected literally every aspect of my life. Brave Leah Washington, 19, was among 16 hurt when their carriage ploughed into another broken down on the 18million Smiler ride. 'I had no idea he was going to propose and couldn't believe it when he asked me. I would like to thank them for all their support over the past 2 years., We pay for your stories! Witnesses describe passengers screaming for help from carriage suspended in mid-air after collision on theme parks Smiler attraction.