The horrifying crash which took place at Alton Towers last week left many injured and dripping in blood.
Among those who were on the Smiler rollercoaster at the Staffordshire theme park were Vanisha Singh, with her mother Chanda Singh and sister, Meera Singh. They were sitting in the second row of the carriage when it crashed into a stationary car.
Vanisha Singh (29), from Walsall commenting on the aftermath. She said, “'It was terrifying. There was blood all over the floor because it was pouring out of their legs... the doctors and firemen were covered.”
Singh further added, "We finally went up and were kept at the top for 10 or 15 minutes chatting, joking that we were the guinea pigs... The metal safety bar smashed into our legs. There was loads of screaming. I felt a burning sensation in my pelvis, and back and neck pain."
One of the victims of the rollercoaster crash has had to have her left leg amputated above her knee. Leah Washington (17), was at Alton Towers for her first date with her boyfriend, Joe Pugh (18). Leah Washington also suffered a fractured hand in the crash, while her boyfriend suffered two broken knees and severe hand injuries.
There have been further revelations that the emergency services were not called to the scene until 11 minutes after the accident. After they received the call, the emergency services arrived within 10 minutes.
Alton Towers has reopened for the public, however, the Smiler ride remains closed. Nick Varney, chief executive of Merlin Entertainments, which owns Alton Towers said, “The accident last Tuesday was a terrible event for everyone involved. We are very aware of the impact it will have on those involved and we are doing all we can to provide our support to those injured and their families. We closed the park immediately whilst preliminary investigations took place and to give our staff time to come to terms with the accident and its aftermath. In recent days our management team have been engaged in a thorough review of our operating and safety procedures before making this decision.”
Varney further stated, “Alton Towers has a long record of safe operation and as we reopen, we are committed to ensuring that the public can again visit us with confidence.”
