Alton Towers: four rollercoaster crash victims in hospital Evidence: Vicky Balch and other victims lost significant amounts of blood - and she had to have her right leg amputated. ", 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. 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!' The Staffordshire theme park owner has already admitted breaching the Health and Safety Act, and was fined 5m in September 2016. I was told the average life expectancy of someone with an amputation. Do you know this baby? This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. 2023 BBC. One person, 23-year-old Orlando Rodriguez, died at the scene of the crash on April 2, 2022. 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. Exact date yellow weather warning for snow and ice forecast to hit UK - will you be affected? 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. pic.twitter.com/6torYa0DzW. "Regrettably, where such serious injuries are sustained, it can take many years before the extent of losses can be established.". With 14 inversions, The Smiler holds the world record for most inversions on a roller coaster. 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. Do you know this baby? For other inquiries, Contact Us. 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. 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. 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They described the aftermath as being like something out of a "horror movie. ', Judge Michael Chambers QC, the Recorder of Stafford, asked: 'Has anyone resigned as a result of the incident?' 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.". Their front carriage on The Smiler rollercoaster hit a broken-down carriage on the track with the force of a 90 mph car crash. 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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. 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. "In the meantime, interim payments and other support have been provided to aid Vickys rehabilitation.". 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. 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. The court also heard engineers should have seen the empty carriage which was visible on CCTV cameras covering the track. The footage published for the first time today shows the Smiler stop at the top of a loop before bungling Alton Towers engineers overrode a system warning and sent it headlong into another truck on June 2 last year. Balch, who also lost a leg in the incident, has previously said she wanted the ride to shut for good. Alton Towers owner, Merlin Entertainments, saw its share price plunge when it emerged the Smiler had been involved in a collision. Lawyer Paul Paxton said: "Our clients suffered life-changing injuries as a result of the accident. Me, Dinos mum and my best friends ended up crying. It faces a multi-million pound fine and potentially millions more in compensation claims from the victims following a Health and Safety Executive prosecution. ", Harry: I always felt different to rest of family, US-made cheese can be called 'gruyere' - court, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, Mbappe breaks PSG goal record in win over Nantes, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61. She sometimes says thanks when I dont even notice Ive done anything extra. Alton Towers has confirmed its flagship roller coaster the Smiler will . Nicholas Varney, 53, chief executive of Merlin Entertainments, and Alton Towers divisional director Ian Crabbe attended court. He said the wounds suffered, both physical and psychological, had 'changed the lives of the some of those injured, in the most dramatic way'. The pair announced their engagement two years ago onInstagram. Thirteen-year-old April was last seen in Whitchurch at about 5.00 pm yesterday (March 3). He said: 'The staff had come to distrust at that stage the fault signal on occasions and hence they thought that the one that was showing was an error. Her parents had to move house to a bungalow with wheelchair access and she needs physiotherapy and prosthetic legs. What science tells us about the afterlife.