Read about our approach to external linking. 20:48 GMT 24 Oct 2021. Vicky Balch, then 19, and Leah Washington, then 17, were. A couple seriously injured in a rollercoaster crash at Alton Towers have announced their engagement. The women are suing Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd for negligence and or breach of statutory duty. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. No one from Alton Towers has resigned as a result of The Smiler disaster, the court heard. He added: 'The fault is with the defendant for not devising a scheme for not guiding the work of the engineers.'. 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. Four ambulances and four air ambulances attended the scene among 40 emergency vehicles in total after receiving a 999 call at 2.09pm. Two people. By 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 court also heard engineers should have seen the empty carriage which was visible on CCTV cameras covering the track. as being like something out of a "horror movie. Smiler crash: Alton Towers operator Merlin fined 5m - BBC News Putting names to archive photos, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, In photos: India's disappearing single-screen cinemas. Do you know this baby? She captioned apicture of the pair: ''Can't believe my best friend asked me to marry him on Friday. The accident happened on Route 7 westbound at Lakeland Drive . Credit: ITV News Central. 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. Chanda Chauhan, 49, from Wednesbury, had surgery after suffering internal injuries. A woman who lost her leg in a rollercoaster crash at Alton Towers has received a multi-million pound payout four years on. She received thousands of likes and wrote: "So this happened yesterday I SAID YES. The accident occurred just after 2pm and the evacuation of the ride was completed at 6.35pm, according to an Alton Towers spokeswoman. Leah showed off her engagement ring in a photo from Venice on her Instagram page. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk, 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. 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. Footage of the Smiler rollercoaster seconds after the crash. She sometimes says thanks when I dont even notice Ive done anything extra. Alton Towers has confirmed its flagship roller coaster the Smiler will . 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. When the wedding was put off last year, the couplestarted trying for a baby, andthree months after coming off the pill they conceived. ", 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. The victims screamed for help as they were left suspended in mid-air on the ride, which can reach speeds of up to 50mph, for several hours. 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 . 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. Beautician Vicky Balch was one of 16 people injured when an empty. 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. Passengers had to be cut free from wreckage and airlifted to hospital after carriage carrying 16 passengers collided with empty one. Speaking on their behalf, Simon Antrobus, defending, said: 'They wish me to deliver an apology to the court and to those injured and affected by this ride. Today marks the fifth anniversary of the Smiler crash, a rollercoaster collision which rocked the UK back in 2015. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? Alton Towers crash victim Vicky Balch marries fianc in 'emotional Alton Towers Smiler crash victims Vicky Balch and Leah - mirror 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. But at least now I can live my life. Judge Michael Chambers QC described the accident as a "catastrophic failure" and said it was entirely avoidable. My life as a wife and mum will be so different now. The Smiler is a steel roller coaster located at Alton Towers in Staffordshire, United Kingdom. "I didnt think it would be as hard as it is. Merlin said it was "on standby to conclude settlement discussions on the outstanding claims as soon as they are ready". 'There was nobody, no individual who had to sign off and take responsibility for that event. 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.". The Recorder of Stafford, Judge Michael Chambers QC, is set to hear evidence of the HSE's investigation into the crash, and mitigation from Merlin, before passing sentence. Speaking about her teaching assistant apprenticeship, she told MailOnline: "I'm on my feet a lot, bending down. The 18m Smiler ride, described as the worlds first 14-looping rollercoaster on its official website, opened in May 2013. She said she is now having to opt for a "less demanding" career. A court saw CCTV footage today for the. The prosecution went on to say that none of the four engineers involved in working on the Smiler 'had the full picture or understanding of conditions on the ride'. It was really stressful and depressing. 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. Another Twitter user posted a video appearing to show a third air ambulance arriving at the amusement park. Alton Towers operator Merlin has been fined 5m for the crash on the Smiler rollercoaster. Lawyer Paul Paxton said: "Our clients suffered life-changing injuries as a result of the accident. ', 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. The Smiler rollercoaster has been closed since June last year after a crash injured 16 people. Witnesses described hearing a huge sound, like a car crash when the carriages came together on the Smiler attraction on Tuesday afternoon. Artificial limbs can cost 80,000 each and need replacing every few years. Leah Washington (left) and Vicky Balch were both badly injured on the ride. LOUDON COUNTY, Va. (7News) A Loudoun County road is closed Thursday to repair a traffic signal pole following an overnight crash. 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. ", BBC Beyond Paradise star Jamie Bamber is married to Eastenders actress. Alton Towers Smiler ride crash due to 'human error' - BBC News Later in the day we ate lunch and that was when the incident occurred.. The Smiler - Wikipedia This is the horrifying momentThe Smiler crashedat Alton Towers leaving 16 injured including two young women who later had legs amputated in the worst British rollercoaster crash for years. 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!' ', The barrister, speaking for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) which brought the prosecution, said: 'Engineers who came to remedy the situation, regarding the indicated block-stop, thought it was a false one reflecting a recently corrected issue and did not see the stalled train, and proceeded to re-set and re-start the ride, overriding the computer-generated block-stop.'. 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 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. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Alton Towers Smiler crash Thrill-seekers left with devastating injuries All 16 people were eventually freed from the carriage. 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'. For the latest news in and around Bristol, visit and bookmark Bristol Live's homepage. Alton Towers owner, Merlin Entertainments, saw its share price plunge when it emerged the Smiler had been involved in a collision. 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. The Alton Towers spokeswoman said a full investigation would take place into the accident. 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. 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. When is Eurovision and how do you get tickets? Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. 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. People just standing around in bewilderment really.. Joe says: We had the attitude of were alive, but our parents told us we needed the money to set us up for the future., And on learning that his claim has been settled for a confidential amount of at least six figures, he said: Its a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, a lot of stress has been taken away and it feels like I can finally move on and get on with my life.. Lawyer Paul Paxton said: "Our clients suffered life-changing injuries as a result of the accident. Its not really a life, but it's something I'll have to live with.". A carriage containing 16 passengers crashed into an empty train that had stopped midway around the 14-loop ride. Read about our approach to external linking. Four of those rescued had significant lower-limb injuries that were not life threatening and were treated at the scene by trauma doctors, after what was described as the most serious accident at Alton Towers since the popular theme park opened in 1980. Mr Thorogood said engineers, responding to a fault, were 'without guidance from above', and had not been given a system to follow to safely deal with the problem on the track. Ben Richardson, who posted pictures on Twitter of the crashed rollercoaster, told the BBC the collision sounded like car crash it was very full on. Daniel Thorpe, 27, from Buxton in Derbyshire, was treated for a collapsed lung and lower leg injuries. Tom Whelton, who was on the Smiler hours before the crash, said his carriage got stuck on the rollercoasters first hill. The theme park's operator Merlin has been warned to expect a 'very large fine' for health and safety breaches. "I spent the next two days just sighing with relief. Putting names to archive photos, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, In photos: India's disappearing single-screen cinemas. As of 1:30 p.m., all . They could each receive "well in excess of 2m" in compensation if the High Court claim is successful. THIS is the moment a Smiler rollercoaster smashed into the back of another carriage at Alton Towers and left two teenagers needing leg amputations. Mr Thorogood said some victims described the angle as 45 degrees, but accepted this was disputed. 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. Leah, whose case should be resolved next year, will need money for the rest of her life. Alton Towers remains closed for third day as health and safety 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. 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. 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. Vicky Balch, 23, and Leah Washington, 20, were in the front seats of the. Alton Towers amputee Vicky Balch has married her fiance in an 'emotional' ceremony six years after she lost her leg in a horrific accident on the theme park's Smiler ride. 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. "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.". Joe Pugh, from Barnsley in South Yorkshire tweeted: "How awful and disrespectful can people get? 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. The Staffordshire theme park owner has already admitted breaching the Health and Safety Act, and was fined 5m in September 2016. Some of the passengers sustained life-changing injuries. Prosecutors revealed the weather should have shut down the ride and engineers were ill-equipped to deal with the aftermath. 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, Alton Towers Smiler ride crash caused by human error, theme park says, 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. Disgusting.". Its entirely possible that Leahs claim will run into millions., And Leah says: You cant put a price on losing a limb. The pair both feature in a new Channel 5 series, Where Theres Blame Theres A Claim, which examines compensation cases. 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. 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. Alton Towers victim Leah Washington shares pictures of her horror
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