Alton Towers Crash Victims Speaks

The Barnsley teenager who had her leg amputated after the Alton Towers rollercoaster crash has recalled breaking down in tears when she saw her injury, and admitted her concerns about having to take a "different path" in life. Leah Washington, who turned 18 last month, was one of five people seriously injured on the Smiler at the theme park in June. Speaking to the Mail On Sunday she revealed she begged the surgeon not to tell her she had lost a limb, "It took me a long time to look at my injury. When I did, I burst into tears.'' She described seeing the other carriage in front and thinking the crash would be "like a bumper car ride", but after the collision she saw that those around her were injured and realised the safety bar was digging into her left leg and saw flesh on the seat in front. Looking to the future Miss Washington said she is apprehensive but is trying to get used to a different way of life. She said she gets tired using crutches, but does not like being in a wheelchair as people often stare, "I'm nervous for the future. My life is on hold while my friends are moving forward, having their own cars and leaving home. I'll have a different path and a different life." The teen said she does not feel anger towards the Staffordshire theme park, whose owner Merlin Entertainments has accepted responsibility for the crash, but added that she wants to know what went wrong so it does not happen again.