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Rollercoaster crash victim 'angry' with Alton Towers

The boyfriend of a teenager who had her leg amputated after The Smiler ride crash said Alton Towers should have known there was something wrong with the ride.

Joe Pugh, who was on the rollercoaster with his girlfriend, Leah Washington, at Alton Towers, was giving his views nearly two weeks after the crash that left his knees shattered.

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Alton Towers make first payouts to Smiler crash victims

Joe Pugh and his girlfriend of two months Leah Washington. Credit: ITV News

Alton Towers has made its first payouts to the victims of the Smiler crash.

Leah Washington, 17, who had to have part of her leg amputated, could receive several million pounds in compensation.

Her boyfriend Joe Pugh, 18, shattered both kneecaps in the rollercoaster smash last month.

Dancer Victoria Balch, 20, has had extensive surgery for her "life-changing" leg injuries. While her boyfriend Daniel Thorpe suffered a fractured leg and punctured lung.

Lawyers representing the victims said the money would help with their "rehabilitation" as well as four others who were also injured.

Paul Paxton, Head of Personal Injury at law firm Stewart Law, said: "The families are satisfied that no expense is being spared in the investigation into what caused the accident on the Smiler ride at Alton Towers."

He also met with Health and Safety inspectors who said the ride is likely to remain closed for a significant period of time and indeed "may never open again".

Read more: Victims' anger at Alton Towers

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