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. Alton Towers Smiler rollercoaster crash video shows horror moment ride 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. 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. Two women who lost legs after a crash on a ride at Alton Towers are suing the park's owners, their lawyers have said. An investigation by the Staffordshire theme park in November 2015 found it had been caused by human error. The photos were taken by a reporter from student news site The Tab during a bar crawl called the "7 Legged" on Monday night. 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.". The Smiler is a steel roller coaster located at Alton Towers in Staffordshire, United Kingdom. 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. 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? Putting names to archive photos, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, In photos: India's disappearing single-screen cinemas. The women are suing Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd for negligence and or breach of statutory duty. pic.twitter.com/6torYa0DzW. In July 2013, 48 people were evacuated after witnesses saw a metal bar break away from the ride before landing near them, exposing a gap in the track and forcing another shutdown. It has taken full responsibility for the incident and continues to co-operate with the ongoing Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation. In an interview with a university magazine, the students admitted they attached fake legs to their costumes but said it was to simulate "a person sitting down" rather than any form of injury. 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. Witnesses describe passengers screaming for help from carriage suspended in mid-air after collision on theme parks Smiler attraction. Artificial limbs can cost 80,000 each and need replacing every few years. Miss Balch, of Leyland, Lancashire, and Miss Washington, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, needed partial leg amputations after the crash. Alton Towers operator Merlin was fined 5m after admitting . 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. Mr Antrobus turned to confer with Mr Varney before replying: 'No. However, he added that although there had been 'a number of human errors', the 'fault here is with the employers', and not individuals. ', 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. does not see the point in being angry about what happened. Experts reckon the final figure could run into millions. We will wait for the recommendations and full findings based on the ongoing investigation these will be critical in ensuring that lessons are learned., Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. Im not independent any more at all. Prosecutors revealed the weather should have shut down the ride and engineers were ill-equipped to deal with the aftermath. They could each receive "well in excess of 2m" in compensation if the High Court claim is successful. 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The crash on the Smiler rollercoaster at Alton Towers that seriously injured five people was caused by human error, the theme park's owner has said. 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, Martin Robinson, Uk Chief Reporter For Mailonline, Do not sell or share my personal information. "Regrettably, where such serious injuries are sustained, it can take many years before the extent of losses can be established.". We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Dino, a pizza company owner, had laid rose petals and heart shaped balloons on the bed before popping the question. "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. They are my everything.'. But we support each other. Vicky is now planing her wedding to fianc Dino Manciocchi next year. Vicky was excited to speak about her wedding, saying: We are getting married in Italy, an intimate ceremony with friends and family. "I didnt think it would be as hard as it is. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Alton Towers Smiler crash Thrill-seekers left with devastating injuries All 16 people were eventually freed from the carriage. Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd, which owns and operates the Alton Towers theme park, previously admitted a breach of health and safety rules over the incident. What science tells us about the afterlife. Alton Towers Smiler crash victim Vicky Balch weds fiance six years Emergency services eventually rescued 16 people trapped on the rollercoaster at a 45-degree angle. Man Charged 5 Months After Fatal Sterling Crash: Police It has been closed twice before because of technical issues. Sixteen people were injured in the crash in June 2015, including Ms Washington and Vicky Balch, who both needed leg amputations. Leah Washington and Joe Pugh were both teenagers riding the Smiler when it crashed in. At least 16 were injured and five people were seriously hurt when it smashed into a broken down carriage after a series of blunders. I had to think about the help Id need, even at the end of my life. Alton Towers crash victim has collapsed lung and fractured leg 'I had no idea he was going to propose and couldn't believe it when he asked me. In a change of heart, the pair decided to rearrange their nuptials and planned their special day in Britain at the Bartle Hall Hotel near their home in Preston. 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. Alton Towers owner, Merlin Entertainments, saw its share price plunge when it emerged the Smiler had been involved in a collision. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? The pair announced their engagement two years ago onInstagram. 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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. Danny Simm, a radio presenter on 96.5 Bolton FM who appears to have been at the amusement park, tweeted: People unconscious, knocked out. Alton Towers Smiler crash: Amputation a 'relief' says victim He said the wounds suffered, both physical and psychological, had 'changed the lives of the some of those injured, in the most dramatic way'. 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. ", 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. I'm so happy and excited for the rest of our lives together,' she told the Mirrorat the time. With 14 inversions, The Smiler holds the world record for most inversions on a roller coaster. Where There's Blame There's A Claim features Leah Washington and Joe Pugh, Don't miss any TV and showbiz news - sign up to free alerts. The University of Nottingham Students' Union said the costume was "in no way intended to reference the tragedy". Its affected literally every aspect of my life. It really was shocking. She received thousands of likes and wrote: "So this happened yesterday I SAID YES. The pair, from Barnsley in South Yorkshire, were among 16 people hurt in the crash, five of them seriously, when two carriages on the ride collided in June that year. The court was told the victims of the Smiler crash were held at a 'very difficult angle' as the two trains on the ride 'meshed together'. The accident occurred just after 2pm and the evacuation of the ride was completed at 6.35pm, according to an Alton Towers spokeswoman. Lawyer Paul Paxton said: "Our clients suffered life-changing injuries as a result of the accident. Alton Towers Smiler ride crash caused by human error, theme park says Leah, 17 had just left school and had only been going out with Joe, 18, for four days when they had a day out at the Staffordshire theme park two years ago. 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. "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 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. 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. Sixteen people were injured in the crash in June 2015, including Ms Washington and Vicky Balch, who both needed leg amputations. Alton Towers Smiler crash victim Vicky Balch gets multi-million pound Merlin said it was "on standby to conclude settlement discussions on the outstanding claims as soon as they are ready". The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. ALTON Towers Smiler crash victim Vicky Balch has married her fianc in an "emotional" wedding ceremony six years after losing her leg. Mr Thorogood added: 'The subsequent collision was plain to see to some in the train, and I refer to those in the front row's statements, where they speak of their disbelief and horror as they saw ahead up the track the train into which there were going to dive. Leigh Curtis, who was sitting in a nearby bar when the accident happened, described quite an eerie feel in the aftermath of the collision. It was never going to be easy. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. The Alton Towers spokeswoman said a full investigation would take place into the accident.