Alton Towers pays out over crash on The Smiler

Stewarts Law revealed the payouts, which will help with rehabilitation, to its clients Joe Pugh and Leah Washington, of Barnsley, and Victoria Balch along with five others.

Miss Washington, 17, had her leg amputated in the rollercoaster disaster and earlier her lawyer said she could receive several million pounds.

Her boyfriend Mr Pugh was also badly hurt in the accident – as the force of the collision caused both of his kneecaps to shatter.

After a meeting with the insurers, Head of Personal Injury at the firm, Paul Paxton 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.

“The Health and Safety Inspectorate made it clear that the requisite multidisciplinary expertise was in place.

“The ride is likely to remain closed for a significant period of time; indeed it may never open again. The families are reassured that every angle is being thoroughly covered.”

Alton Towers was closed for six days in the aftermath of the crash on 2 June, with its parent company, Merlin Entertainments, losing as much as £500,000 in revenue for each day of the closure.