Alton Towers victims: Smiler rollercoaster should not reopen

Jamie Bullen18 March 2016

Two young people who suffered life-changing injuries when a ride at Alton Towers crashed said today they want the ride to remain closed.

Joe Pugh and Vicky Balch spoke out as the Smiler rollercoaster was due to reopen tomorrow for the start of the new season at the theme park.

They were among the 16 people injured when a carriage smashed into another car at the Staffordshire theme park last June.

Miss Balch, of Lancashire, and another passenger Leah Washington, had to have a leg amputated.

Vicky Balch had to have her leg amputated after the crash Rex
Rex

Miss Balch told ITV News she believed Alton Towers was prioritising profits over people.

She said: “I've never wanted it to reopen, that's just the obvious reaction.

"I understand it's a business and it's what they have to do. I just didn't think it'd be so soon. It's only nine months, it's not a very long time.”

Mr Pugh, of Barnsley, had to relearn how to walk after both his knees were shattered in the crash.

Joe Pugh and Leah Washinton on ITV's Good Morning Britain Rex
Rex

Appearing on ITV’s Good Morning Britain with Miss Washington, he said: “I think it would have been a bit unrealistic if we had both said 'I don't think it's ever going to reopen again' because it always was going to, but if people choose to go on it, that's up to them.

"Seeing it go round, it's not something that I want to see. I would have preferred for it to be closed."

Daniel Thorpe, from Buxton, Derbyshire and Chandaben Chauhan, from Wednesbury, West Midlands, were also seriously injured in the crash, which Alton Towers owner Merlin Entertainments said was due to human error.

The Health and Safety Executive is prosecuting Merlin over the crash and the company is due in court next month.

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