Yorkshire couple injured in Alton Towers rollercoaster crash announce engagement

A couple who suffered serious injuries in a rollercoaster crash at Alton Towers are getting married.
By Grace Hammond
Published 16th Mar 2022, 06:52 BST
Updated 16th Mar 2022, 07:34 BST

Leah Washington and Joe Pugh announced they were engaged on Instagram, with Miss Washington posting pictures showing her new ring during a trip to Venice.

She wrote: “So this happened yesterday I SAID YES.”

Mr Pugh posted: “Venice 2022, the best city break so far made even better by getting a yes from Leah”.

The happy couple. [Image: Leah Washington via Instagram]The happy couple. [Image: Leah Washington via Instagram]
The happy couple. [Image: Leah Washington via Instagram]
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The pair, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, were both injured on The Smiler ride at the Staffordshire theme park in 2015.

Miss Washington had to have her leg amputated and Mr Pugh also suffered serious leg injuries.

Read More
Leah Washington: Rollercoaster crash that turned my life upside-down

Alton Towers operator Merlin Attractions were fined £5 million after the crash for health and safety violations.

The court case heard how Miss Washington, then 17, and 19-year-old Vicky Balch could have bled to death from their injuries and each ended up losing a leg.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A total of 16 people were injured in the crash, which happened when the carriage they were in hit another empty one in an impact the court heard was like a 90pmh car crash.

Lawyers said the fine was believed to be the largest ever of its kind for a leisure industry company.

Related topics:YorkshireWashingtonAlton TowersInstagramSouth Yorkshire

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.