Barnsley couple injured in rollercoaster crash try to 'move on' as ride reopens

A couple from Barnsley who were badly injured on a rollercoaster at Alton Towers have said they are determined to 'move on', ahead of the ride reopening tomorrow.

Leah Washington and Joe Pugh were on the front row of the Smiler ride when it crashed in June last year. It took emergency services four and a half hours to free passengers trapped in the wreckage. Leah's left leg had to be amputated above the knee, while and Joe suffered two broken knees.

Speaking to Good Morning Britain, Joe said he would have preferred for the ride to remain permanently closed, but recognised that it was 'unrealistic' to expect that it would never open again.

The couple were on their first 'proper' date when their lives were changed forever by the crash.

Nine months on, Leah described how the couple's parents had struggled to come to terms with events, but Joe said it had made them stronger as a couple.

An investigation by the park found that the crash was caused by 'human error'. Extensive safety tests have been taking ahead of the reopening, with the theme park insisting that that the ride is safe to operate.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive is continuing, with prosecutions likely.

While the future remains uncertain for Leah and Joe, the couple are determined to move forwards with their lives.