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Smiler victims 'upset' as Alton Towers ride reopens

It's changed our lives forever, we don't understand why people want to go on it ...

Leah Washington deeply upset by the re-opening of The Smiler

Two teenagers who suffered life-changing injuries in the Alton Towers crash say they are deeply upset but have come to accept that The Smiler ride will reopen this weekend.

Leah Washington, 18, had her leg amputated and her nineteen-year-old boyfriend, Joe Pugh, had to learn how to walk again after he sustained horrific injuries to his knees.

The couple and two of their friends were on the £18 million The Smiler ride when their carriage collided with another. It took emergency services four-and-a-half hours to rescue all of the 16 casualties.

But just nine months after the accident, Alton Towers are planning to re-open The Smiler on Saturday.

Leah and Joe have spoken exclusively to Good Morning Britain, and say they would have preferred to see the ride closed forever.

Leah says: "It is quite upsetting to think they are going to reopen it. Personally I wouldn't want them to reopen it but I cant make that decision."

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