This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Do you know this baby? Alton Towers, in Staffordshire, which is owned by Merlin Entertainments, was fined 5million over the Smiler crash in 2015. "Its design was based on a traditional concept that has existed for several years and no reference was made to the Smiler by the students involved. When the wedding was put off last year, the couplestarted trying for a baby, andthree months after coming off the pill they conceived. 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. And Vicky revealed in November that she had been given a multi-million pound payout for her injuries. The Staffordshire theme park owner has already admitted breaching the Health and Safety Act, and was fined 5m in September 2016. Passengers had to be cut free from wreckage and airlifted to hospital after carriage carrying 16 passengers collided with empty one , updated Some people said they had experienced problems on the ride just hours before the crash. I kept saying to Dino, Its over, I cant believe its all over.. 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. The five seriously injured were Vicky Balch and Daniel Thorpe, from Buxton in Derbyshire, Leah Washington and Joe Pugh, from Barnsley, and Chandaben Chauhan, from Wednesbury, West Midlands. 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. 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. Leah showed off her engagement ring in a photo from Venice on her Instagram page. 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. Today marks the fifth anniversary of the Smiler crash, a rollercoaster collision which rocked the UK back in 2015. However due to the complex nature of Vickys case, it was not possible to reach a settlement until now. 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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. Two people. 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. In November 2013, guide wheels fell off the ride and hit four people in the front carriage, once again forcing it to close. Leah, whose case should be resolved next year, will need money for the rest of her life. Sixteen people had to be rescued after it broke down during a press launch in its opening month. EXCLUSIVE: The two young women could get around 2million each, according to . ITV Dancing On Ice's Christopher Dean issues Jayne Torvill health announcement. 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. Leah Washington said:Merlin have looked after me and my family so well! 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We went halfway across the park and then we heard a big bang. Theme park owner Merlin admitted breaching the Health and Safety Act and was fined 5m in September 2016. The women are suing Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd for negligence and or breach of statutory duty. Experts reckon the final figure could run into millions. He said the wounds suffered, both physical and psychological, had 'changed the lives of the some of those injured, in the most dramatic way'. They could each receive "well in excess of 2m" in compensation if the High Court claim is successful. 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.. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. The pair then began planning their special day and Vicky admitted she would be using the payout money to fund her dream wedding. [3] He said settlements relied on receiving certain information from claimants, and Merlin had "provided appropriate support including interim payments while the assessments continue". as being like something out of a "horror movie. 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Jamie Bamber plays Archie Hughes in Beyond Paradise on BBC One. Alton Towers Smiler crash victims Vicky Balch and Leah Washington sue theme park owners for millions of pounds. 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. 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. 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. 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. Students who dressed up as a rollercoaster and called themselves the "7 legless" have apologised to victims of the Alton Towers crash. Vicky was excited to speak about her wedding, saying: We are getting married in Italy, an intimate ceremony with friends and family. 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. 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. Vicky shared the happy news on social media in a post that read: 'Finally ready to introduce the newest member of our family Venanzio Joseph Manciocchi born 12/3/2021 after an emotional rollercoaster which ended in emergency C-Section and 3 nights in Neo-natal the family is finally home and ready to enjoy many memories @dinomanciocchi.'. Joe Pugh, 18, a student at Huddersfield University, and his girlfriend Leah Washington were among the victims. It was never going to be easy. Do you know this baby? After an investigation, authorities arrested Rogel Hernandez-Reyes, a 27-year-old man from Maryland. Two teenagers involved in the Alton Towers rollercoaster crash were on their first official date, it emerged today. 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.. Leah Washington, 18, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and Vicky Balch, 20, from Leyland, Lancashire, were both forced to undergo leg amputations as a result of the horror crash. 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!' 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. "Regrettably, where such serious injuries are sustained, it can take many years before the extent of losses can be established.". Speaking about her teaching assistant apprenticeship, she told MailOnline: "I'm on my feet a lot, bending down.