Alton Towers Victim's 'Inspirational' Picture

A 17-year-old girl whose leg was amputated after a rollercoaster crash at Alton Towers has posted an "inspirational" picture of her recovery.

Leah Washington, from Barnsley, is seen surrounded by beaming friends and family just a month after suffering life-changing injuries.

The teen had her left leg amputated above the knee after the Smiler ride collided with an empty carriage on 2 June.

Commenting on the picture, one Facebook friend wrote: "What an absolutely fabulous picture, Leah you are an inspiration to us all".

Another wrote: "FANTASTIC PIC LEAH U ARE AN INSPIRATION XXXXXXXXXXX".

Miss Washington, who was sitting in the front row of the ride with her boyfriend Joe Pugh, 18, could receive "several million pounds" in compensation, according to her lawyer.

Mr Pugh, whose kneecaps were shattered by the force of the crash, told the Mail on Sunday: "I remember a sickening bang with metal grinding against metal and the safety bar being rammed against my knees".

He said his girlfriend "was screaming and her jeans were covered in blood".

Alongside them was 20-year-old Vicky Balch, from Lancashire, who had her right leg amputated below the knee last week.

Two others were seriously injured in the crash, which saw 16 people left suspended above the ground as emergency services tried to free them.

The theme park was closed for six days after the accident.

Alton Towers was in the spotlight again this week when four people received medical attention after a shunt on the Sonic Spinball ride on Tuesday.

Officials said two carriages "nudged each other at walking pace".

"The guests on the two cars walked off and we advised that they attend our medical centre as a precautionary measure," a spokesman for Alton Towers said.

On Thursday, the park apologised after around 80 passengers were stranded for an hour on the monorail train in sweltering temperatures of 28C (82F).