Alton Towers promises to compensate crash victims as one loses leg
Alton Towers has promised to compensate those injured in last week’s Smiler crash as it emerged that one of the victims, a 17-year-old girl, has suffered an amputation.
Leah Washington, who was sitting on the front row of The Smiler when it smashed into an empty carriage, had her leg removed above the knee.
Three others who were sitting in the front row next to Ms Washington, including her 18-year-old boyfriend Joe Pugh, are also being treated in hospital for leg injuries. Another victim suffered a collapsed lung and a woman, who was sitting in the second row, is being treated for internal injuries.
Alton Towers said it had written to all 16 of the injured or their families admitting full responsibility for the accident.
In a statement released yesterday, the theme park’s owner Merlin said: "Irrespective of the outcome of the current investigations into the causes of the accident, in these letters we have accepted full responsibility to those who had been injured in the accident and confirmed that we will ensure that compensation will be provided to them.
"We have recommended each of the injured guests or their families instruct a lawyer and submit a claim for compensation which we will ensure is dealt with swiftly and sensitively."
Lawyers acting for three of the victims, including Leah Washington, told the BBC they were ‘pleased’ Merlin had admitted responsibility.
Paul Paxton, from Stewarts Law, said he would be meeting the theme park’s solicitors to request an early payment to help the families with financial hardship and with the victim’s rehabilitation.
Alton Towers reopened most of the park yesterday for the first time since the accident last week, but the Smiler ride remains closed.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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