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Two women who each lost a leg in the Smiler rollercoaster crash suing Alton Towers 'for millions'

Leah Washington (left) and Vicky Balch are said to have taken legal action against Alton Towers. (PA)
Leah Washington (left) and Vicky Balch are said to have taken legal action against Alton Towers. (PA)

The two young women who each lost a leg in the Smiler rollercoaster crash at Alton Towers are suing the owners of the park for millions of pounds.

Vicky Balch, 23, and Leah Washington, 20, were both sitting in the front seats when the ride slammed into a stationary carriage.

Miss Balch’s legal team claim the injuries she suffered during the 2015 Smiler crash were as a result of ‘negligence and or breach of statutory duty’ of Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd.

Smiler crash victim Leah Washington (Getty)
Smiler crash victim Leah Washington (Getty)
Vicky Balch (right), pictured with her mother Karen in 2016, needed a leg amputation after the theme park accident. (PA)w
Vicky Balch (right), pictured with her mother Karen in 2016, needed a leg amputation after the theme park accident. (PA)w

A claim to the High Court this week accuses Merlin of ‘failing to take any or any adequate care to ensure the reasonable safety of the Claimant whilst on the Smiler.’

Merlin has already been hit with a £5million fine after judge Michael Chambers branded the theme park a “shambles”.

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Miss Balch’s claim states: “In his sentencing remarks, the judge said the accident was foreseeable and he was satisfied the Defendant fell far short of the appropriate standard.”

Paul Paxton of law firm Stewarts, said: “Our clients suffered life-changing injuries as a result of the accident. 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.”

Alton Towers re-opened the Smiler ride in March 2016, nine months after the accident. (PA)
Alton Towers re-opened the Smiler ride in March 2016, nine months after the accident. (PA)

It is predicted that the two young women could be awarded around £2million each for their initial injuries and the subsequent complications.

Fellow Smiler crash victims Meera Chauhan and her daughter Vanisha Singh have also filed their own legal action. Their claim cites the psychological effects of the crash.

Merlin 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.”