A WOMAN who lost a leg in a horrific roller coaster crash at Alton Towers is suing the theme park.
Leah Washington could receive a multi-million payout after having her leg amputated above the knee following the accident in June 2015.
Leah and her boyfriend Joe Pugh were in the front seats of the Smiler roller coaster when it smashed into a stationary carriage in front of them.
She is now suing Alton Towers for damages, and said the money would be used to pay for prosthetic legs which need replacing every six years, physiotherapy, a personal trainer and sports massage.
Leah, 21, of Limes Avenue, Gawber, said: “I’m doing OK in myself, it’s a bit of a strange one because in some ways it still doesn’t seem real.
“I wake up some mornings and things are so different compared to what it used to be. I still get reminders every single day, simple tasks like getting out of bed, getting a shower, things other people might take for granted.
“My friends understand, but not to the degree of what I have to do on a day-to-day basis.
“They see me out and about like everyone else does, but they don’t see everything else that goes on.”
Whenever she sees the photograph of her and Joe trapped in the stricken Smiler carriage, she says it feels like she’s looking at someone else.
“It’s a strange feeling. Of course, I know it happened, but sometimes seeing the pictures, it just doesn’t seem real.”
Leah has three different prosthetic legs and is hoping to get a running blade after taking up running as part of her rehabilitation.
She said any money she receives will be spent on her future health care needs. Her prosthetic leg will need replacing every six years, she sees a personal trainer once a week and also has sports massage for a bad back.
She added: “I just have to get on with things because if I didn’t, I would be sitting at home on my own not wanting to leave the house.
“I might be in pain and tired but I want to see my friends. I just have to sacrifice a bit to enjoy life.”
The legal proceedings have been served as ‘a matter of course’ to adhere to time limitations for personal injury cases.
Paul Paxton, of Stewarts Law LLP, 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. Regrettably, where such serious injuries are sustained, it can take many years before the extent of losses can be established.”
Merlin, which runs Alton Towers, admitted negligence in operating the roller coaster, and received a fine from the Health and Safety Executive in September 2016 in criminal proceedings relating to the incident.
The fine of £5m was believed to be a record fine for that kind of hearing.
