Miss Balch has said she does not see the point in being angry about what happened. Our concern is with and for them and for their safety, and all our thoughts and efforts are focused on them.. Vicky is now planing her wedding to fianc Dino Manciocchi next year. 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!' Two women who lost legs after a crash on a ride at Alton Towers are suing the park's owners, their lawyers have said. Stock in the FTSE-100 firm dropped 3.46% to 444.3p a share after opening this morning at 462.6p a share. 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. Alton Towers Smiler crash: Amputation a 'relief' says victim The pair both feature in a new Channel 5 series, Where Theres Blame Theres A Claim, which examines compensation cases. 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. She was sat in the front carriage when the crash happened and was rushed in to surgery where doctors had to amputate her right leg. Daniel Thorpe, 27, from Buxton in Derbyshire, was treated for a collapsed lung and lower leg injuries. The carriages collided so hard the two became meshed together, crushing the limbs of people in the front row and sending the ride swinging back-and-forth like a pendulum. 20:40 GMT 24 Oct 2021 Some of the passengers sustained life-changing injuries. Vicky Balch, then 19, and Leah Washington, then 17, were. She said she is now having to opt for a "less demanding" career. Aerial footage from the scene of a rollercoaster crash at Alton Towers amusement park. It has been closed twice before because of technical issues. Joe Pugh, 18, a student at Huddersfield University, and his girlfriend Leah Washington were among the victims. Four people were seriously hurt after two carriages on the Smiler rollercoaster collided at the theme park yesterday. I want lots of candles and fairylights.. But Leah added: "Its not going to bring back my leg, its not going to bring back the life I had before. 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. Dino also spoke to Mirror Online about their relationship and his role in keeping Vicky's spirits up. 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. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. "Regrettably, where such serious injuries are sustained, it can take many years before the extent of losses can be established.". The University of Nottingham students made the outfits for a bar crawl and posed in them for a student news site. 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'. 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. A law firm representing eight of those injured when two carriages of the Smiler ride crashed. Alton Towers operator Merlin was fined 5m after admitting breaching the Health and Safety Act. Credit: ITV News Central. "I still dont think Ive fully come to terms with everything that's happened. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The four most seriously injured were rescued first. 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. There were found to be no technical or mechanical problems with the ride itself.. 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. Merlin Entertainments said the ride. 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. Witnesses described hearing a huge sound, like a car crash when the carriages came together on the Smiler attraction on Tuesday afternoon. Leah, who is facing fresh surgery on her leg in September, said: "They said it would take up to three years, so were still waiting to hear. 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. Leah Washington and Joe Pugh were both teenagers riding the Smiler when it crashed in. He said settlements relied on receiving certain information from claimants, and Merlin had "provided appropriate support including interim payments while the assessments continue". "In the meantime, interim payments and other support have been provided to aid Vickys rehabilitation.". 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. He said a test carriage had been sent around the 14-loop ride, but had failed - known as 'valley-ing' - in the bottom-most part of the Cobra Roll area of the ride, unseen by ride staff. Alton Towers owners, Merlin, admitted being at fault and a 5 million fine was imposed by the courts. Im slowly getting that back, but life is never going to be the same as it used to be.. 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. Alton Towers crash victim has collapsed lung and fractured leg Something went wrong, please try again later. Leah dreamed of becoming a teacher, but she says that her disability is proving a barrier to the job she's always wanted. I still dont really understand.". Merlin Entertainments said the ride would reopen next year after being closed since the crash in June. 20:48 GMT 24 Oct 2021. ITV Dancing On Ice's Christopher Dean issues Jayne Torvill health announcement. Both have been undergoing rehabilitation for their injuries. People ask if Im happy with it and its difficult to answer. She sometimes says thanks when I dont even notice Ive done anything extra. Another Twitter user posted a video appearing to show a third air ambulance arriving at the amusement park. But that money doesnt go to the victims so Leah and Joe have been mounting a substantial compensation claim. Read about our approach to external linking. , updated Now Jeremy Hunt must give us a Budget to boost Britain, Leicester 'explosion': Listen to massive 'sonic' boom that shook homes and rattled windows. Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? A spokesperson for Alton Towers said: "From the outset we have sought to provide assistance and support to those that were injured and their families. After that, we didnt really know what it was, then it started filtering through that something bad had happened. pic.twitter.com/6torYa0DzW. 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. My life as a wife and mum will be so different now. People hear Ive got money and think it must be like winning the lottery. 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. The photos were taken by a reporter from student news site The Tab during a bar crawl called the "7 Legged" on Monday night. Alton Towers Smiler ride crash caused by human error, theme park says Read about our approach to external linking. For the latest news in and around Bristol, visit and bookmark Bristol Live's homepage. ', Judge Michael Chambers QC, the Recorder of Stafford, asked: 'Has anyone resigned as a result of the incident?' But Leah, from Barnsley, South Yorks., says she is still waiting for final damages to be paid out. 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. Two people. Beautician Vicky Balch was one of 16 people injured when an empty carriage was stranded on the track of ride Smiler back in June 2015. as being like something out of a "horror movie. I kept saying to Dino, Its over, I cant believe its all over.. 2023 BBC. 'A number of errors were made. 'There was no single member of technical service staff in control,' Mr Thorogood said. 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. Passengers had to be cut free from wreckage and airlifted to hospital after carriage carrying 16 passengers collided with empty one Aaron Rodgers is snapped looking cozy with ex-fiance Shailene Woodley as they touch down in Palm Beach on private jet after he confirmed he'll remain with Packers but denies $200m contract, Attorney for Astroworld victims accuses Travis Scott of 'trying to sway potential jurors with good guy act' as rapper launches $5M charity initiative but is being sued for BILLIONS over deadly concert stampede that killed 10, Liberal University of Virginia student, 22, slams negative college experience defined by 'ideological conformity' and claims she and others self-censor in classrooms to avoid low grades and backlash from peers, REVEALED: J&J funded 1971 study where ASBESTOS was injected into mostly black inmates who were paid as little as $10 each by 'monster' doctor researching effects on skin. They described the aftermath as being like something out of a "horror movie. He added that he had read all the victim impact statements. Joe Pugh, from Barnsley in South Yorkshire tweeted: "How awful and disrespectful can people get? Ian Crabbe, Alton Towers divisional director, said in a statement: May I first say that my colleagues and I are devastated by what has happened here today, and our only priority at this time is to work with the emergency services to get the 16 people affected off the ride safely, and most importantly those who are injured are being cared for. 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. Some people said they had experienced problems on the ride just hours before the crash. The Smiler - Wikipedia They could each receive "well in excess of 2m" in compensation if the High Court claim is successful. 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. Then we were queueing up for another rollercoaster and an air ambulance flew over and news started filtering through and all the Alton Towers staff were evacuating the area.. 'The problem was that the head-wind which that train could not overcome. Theme park owner Merlin admitted breaching the Health and Safety Act and was fined 5m in September 2016. 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. Vicky was one of 16 injured when the Smiler ride hit an empty carriage on the tracks in June 2015. Leah Washington and Joe Pugh were both teenagers riding the Smiler when it crashed in. "The university is aware of the SU's initial investigations regarding this matter and its media statement issued today," it said. Its not really a life, but it's something I'll have to live with.". 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. Read about our approach to external linking. "There are lots of meetings and specialists you have to see. @altontowers not what I expected to see today.. 2 carriage crashed into each other on the Smiler!!! Alton Towers Smiler crash victim Vicky Balch weds fiance six years 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. 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.". As of 1:30 p.m., all . 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. Two women - Victoria Balch and Leah Washington - had. Two women who lost legs after a crash on a ride at Alton Towers are suing the park's owners, their lawyers have said. I wanted to take her mind away from the case and put it in a nice place wedding prep and marriage. A woman who lost her leg in a rollercoaster crash at Alton Towers has received a multi-million pound payout four years on. The Smiler reopened in March this year with 'improved safety measures' but student Miss Balch said she hoped the ride would 'be destroyed'. Leah, whose case should be resolved next year, will need money for the rest of her life. The defendant is ultimately responsible for these errors though they were made by individuals.'. Human error caused the Alton Towers rollercoaster crash in June that seriously injured five people, the Staffordshire theme park has said. Alton Towers Smiler crash victims Vicky Balch and Leah Washington sue theme park owners for millions of pounds. does not see the point in being angry about what happened. I'm so happy and excited for the rest of our lives together,' she told the Mirrorat the time. The website reads: Not for the faint-hearted, this new ride at Alton Towers features a series of twisted psychological effects including optical illusions, blinding lights and near misses designed to mess with your mind.. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. #altontowers For saying it's only technical issues, this is the third air ambulance to land.. Oh dear Alton Towers. Box 7200, Leesburg, VA 20177 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. Victims of the Alton Towers rollercoaster crash have received their first insurance payments. Alton Towers has confirmed its flagship roller coaster the Smiler will . They could each receive "well in excess of 2m" in compensation if the High Court claim is successful. It has taken full responsibility for the incident and continues to co-operate with the ongoing Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. There were 'near gale' wind speeds of 46mph on day of crash - but Smiler should not run at more than 34mph. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. At the beginning of Monday's hearing, Judge Chambers said: 'One of the features is not just the impact on those injured, but on those close to them.'. Richardson said the first responders appeared to be more concerned with clearing people away from the ride than reaching the injured passengers. We are confident that lessons have been learned and that appropriate action has been taken to address all the issues raised by our investigation and we believe our core conclusions will be in line with the HSE findings., Paul Paxton, a partner at the law firm Stewarts Law, which is acting for Pugh, Washington and Balch, said it was too early to comment until the conclusion of the HSE investigation. They sent a test car down behind us anyway, which I thought was a bit strange, but I guess thats just procedure for them to do that, he said. 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. Footage of the Smiler rollercoaster seconds after the crash. When is Eurovision and how do you get tickets? This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Russia announces new ceasefire and 'humanitarian corridors' for fleeing civilians in FIVE cities from Wednesday morning - but will Putin's troops stop firing? He said: I just wanted to be there for her, taking her mind off things. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes.
