Alton Towers crash victim Vicky Balch on learning to walk: ‘I was shaking’

Alton Towers victim Vicky Balch has revealed her brave struggle as she learns how to walk again

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by Fiona Day |
Published on

Earlier this summer, Vicky Balch was left with life changing injuries after she was trapped on the Alton Towers Smiler roller coaster following a horrific crash.

After six rounds of painful surgery, Vicky and her doctors made the difficult decision to have her leg amputated above the knee.

The 20-year-old student dancer has now been left with the difficult challenge of learning to walk again with a prosthetic.

Speaking to the BBC, Vicky admitted that she felt relieved following the amputation surgery.

She said that losing her leg following the trauma was "like a burden had been taken away".

"The leg was so painful that I couldn't do anything with it," Vicky added.

Vicky felt a 'burden' had been lifted

Vicky is now receiving intensive therapy at a Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre in Preston.

The University of Derby student is understandably anxious about the process.

"I didn’t think it would be that hard. I was shaking,” she said.

"I'd just forgotten how to use my legs."

Vicky has since been reunited with fellow Smiler victims Leah Washington, 18, Joe Pugh, 18 along with her partner Daniel Thorpe, 28, who also suffered leg injuries.

Teen Leah also had her leg amputated above the knee following the horrific crash.

Lawyers are now working with the victims of the crash to guarantee they get a substantial amount of compensation.

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