Irish Sunday Mirror

Alton Towers crash victim’s delight at her ‘girlie’ new leg

Vicky glowing over €67k limb

- BY KELLY JENKINS

Three-and-a-half years on from the Alton Towers crash that led to the loss of her right leg, the 23-year-old is in high spirits.

Despite lingering pain and emotional trauma, Vicky is thrilled to reveal her new €67,000 prosthetic limb which means she can finally slip on a pair of fancy shoes.

She said: “This is the final puzzle piece for me. It’s amazing to feel like a sexy, feminine woman again. It’s massively improved my confidence and lifted my spirits. This leg has made me feel like myself again.

“I can even paint the toenails. I’ve already bought five new pairs of shoes. I can finally ask my friends to give me back the ones I gave away after my accident.”

The new leg has a special rotating heel that can be angled for higher shoes. It comes with a bespoke flower design – which Vicky says fits her “girlie, feminine” personalit­y.

Her leg was amputated after she and 15 other riders were hurt in the 2015 Smiler rollercoas­ter crash when their vehicle smashed into an empty carriage. Alton Towers owner Merlin Attraction­s was fined €5.5million for safety breaches.

Vicky has now moved in with year-long boyfriend Dino Manciocchi, 25.

She said: “He is my best friend Christine’s brother. She reintroduc­ed us at my 21st and it all started from there.”

news@irishmirro­r.ie Vicky with boyfriend Dino Vicky Balch

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SOULMATE DROP RED GORGEOUS

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