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Alton Towers crash: Smiler collision 'could have been caused by human error' | Alton Towers crash: Smiler collision 'could have been caused by human error' |
(4 months later) | |
Human error may have caused the Smiler crash at Alton Towers, which forced two women to have leg amputations, according to reports. | Human error may have caused the Smiler crash at Alton Towers, which forced two women to have leg amputations, according to reports. |
Student Leah Washington, 18, had her left leg amputated, while Vicky Balch, 20, a dancer, had her right leg amputated below the knee after the carriage they were onboard crashed into an empty vessel already on the Smiler track. | Student Leah Washington, 18, had her left leg amputated, while Vicky Balch, 20, a dancer, had her right leg amputated below the knee after the carriage they were onboard crashed into an empty vessel already on the Smiler track. |
Joe Pugh, Washington’s boyfriend, also 18, endured both of his knees being smashed during the collision. Daniel Thorpe, 27, meanwhile, suffered a broken leg and a punctured lung. | Joe Pugh, Washington’s boyfriend, also 18, endured both of his knees being smashed during the collision. Daniel Thorpe, 27, meanwhile, suffered a broken leg and a punctured lung. |
Read more: Leah Washington describes moment she was told of amputationAlton Towers crash could cost Merlin Entertainments up to £47mJoe Pugh speaks of 'horrific' collision | |
Before the incident, an engineer is alleged to have overridden an automatic safety lock on the ride, allowing a ride operator to send a carriage full of passengers onto the track despite, the Mail on Sunday reported. | Before the incident, an engineer is alleged to have overridden an automatic safety lock on the ride, allowing a ride operator to send a carriage full of passengers onto the track despite, the Mail on Sunday reported. |
The vital locking mechanism on the ride is designed to trigger braking devices, meaning two carriages should not be on the same section of the track at one time. | The vital locking mechanism on the ride is designed to trigger braking devices, meaning two carriages should not be on the same section of the track at one time. |
It is understood the members of staff who are being facing a criminal investigation by the Government's health and safety regulator are still working at the park, but in different roles. | It is understood the members of staff who are being facing a criminal investigation by the Government's health and safety regulator are still working at the park, but in different roles. |
Washington recently spoke out about the devastating incident for the first time, and said it has led her to take a “different path and a different life” and made her feel “nervous for the future”. | Washington recently spoke out about the devastating incident for the first time, and said it has led her to take a “different path and a different life” and made her feel “nervous for the future”. |
"My life is on hold while my friends are moving forward, having their own cars and leaving home," she told the Mail on Sunday earlier in August. | "My life is on hold while my friends are moving forward, having their own cars and leaving home," she told the Mail on Sunday earlier in August. |
Read more: Alton Towers crash victim Leah Washington shares inspirational photo of herself surrounded by family and friends following leg amputation | |
Pugh spoke of similar anguish in his first interview after the crash. | Pugh spoke of similar anguish in his first interview after the crash. |
Speaking on ITV’s This Morning, he recalled the physical and mental pain he felt as he screamed at people to stop taking photographs of him and the other victims. | Speaking on ITV’s This Morning, he recalled the physical and mental pain he felt as he screamed at people to stop taking photographs of him and the other victims. |
He went on to say he was “determined” to prove wrong doctors who have said he will always struggle with stairs and will travel for longer than 40 minutes with difficulty. | He went on to say he was “determined” to prove wrong doctors who have said he will always struggle with stairs and will travel for longer than 40 minutes with difficulty. |
Alton Towers is now attempting to attract guests to the park, after it revealed that the tragedy could cost its owner Merlin Entertainment up to £47million. | Alton Towers is now attempting to attract guests to the park, after it revealed that the tragedy could cost its owner Merlin Entertainment up to £47million. |
The accident, the subsequent closure of the park and suspension of marketing activities had “significantly reduced” volumes at Alton Towers, the company told shareholders in late July. | The accident, the subsequent closure of the park and suspension of marketing activities had “significantly reduced” volumes at Alton Towers, the company told shareholders in late July. |