Alton Towers braced for a £2m payout to victims
TWO women who each lost a leg in a horror rollercoaster crash could be in line for a £2 million payout after suing Alton Towers.
Vicky Balch, 23, and Leah Washington, 20, had been in the front seats of the Smiler when they smashed into a stationary carriage.
The pair are now suing Merlin Attractions Ltd over the incident, which took place at the Staffordshire theme park three years ago.
Vicky’s lawyers say her injuries were caused by the ‘negligence and/or breach of statutory duty’ of Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd – according to the Post & Times’s sister paper the Mirror.
Her claim, lodged at the High Court last week, accuses the firm of: “Failing to take any or any adequate care to ensure the reasonable safety of the Claimant whilst on the Smiler.”
Experts believe Leah and Vicky could get around £2million each.
Meera Chauhan and daughter Vanisha Singh, who were also injured in the 2015 crash, have lodged claims, citing ongoing psychological effects.
The theme park was branded a “shambles” by judge Michael Chambers in 2016, as he imposed a £5million fine on Merlin.
Vicky’s claim states: “In his sentencing remarks, the judge said the accident was foreseeable and he was satisfied the Defendant fell far short of the appropriate standard .... ”
It accuses the theme park of failing to train staff, undertake a suitable and sufficient risk assessment or “devise, implement and adequately manage” a system to deal with faults.
Vicky is now registered as disabled and her prosthetic leg will need to be replaced every few years.
Her work prospects and leisure activities have been “adversely affected” but she is “keen to trial a running blade and to return to as many of her pre-injury activities as possible”.
A Merlin spokesman said: “From the outset we have admitted liability and have engaged fully at all times to achieve settlement for all the claimants as quickly as possible.
“The claimants’ lawyer has confirmed to us that this is a purely procedural filing to preserve their clients’ rights in relation to the standard three year limitation period.
“And that certain claims are not yet ready for settlement due to their complex nature.
“Settlements rely upon the provision of certain information from the claimant to make a fair assessment and we have provided appropriate support including interim payments while the assessments continue.
“We are on standby to conclude settlement discussions on the outstanding claims as soon as they