Mother from Wednesbury named as fifth victim of Alton Towers' Smiler smash
A woman from Wednesbury has been named as the fifth victim of the Smiler rollercoaster crash at Alton Towers.
Chanda Singh, 49, has reportedly had surgery to her stomach after suffering internal bleeding in the crash.
Ms Singh was sitting in the second row of the occupied carriage involved in the crash with her daughters Meera, 26, and Vanisha, 29, the BBC said.
Meera told the BBC that the family returned home in a taxi after the crash before going to Manor Hospital in Walsall, where her mother had surgery to her stomach and is receiving treatment for a damaged liver and blood clots.
Last week Ms Singh's other daughter, Vanisha, spoke of the moment she was injured in the horror crash, revealing: ""It was terrifying."
She said there had been "technical difficulties" moments before they embarked on the ride, as several test cars were sent ahead of them.
"We finally went up and were kept at the top for 10 or 15 minutes chatting, joking that we were the guinea pigs," she said.
Describing the crash, she added: "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.
"It was terrifying. There was blood all over the floor because it was pouring out of their legs in the carriage and dropping down. The doctors and firemen were covered in blood as they scaled the scaffolding to treat the guys on the front row."
The news of Ms Singh's injuries come as it was revealed today that Leah Washington, one of the four seriously injured in the crash, has had to have one of her legs amputated.
Doctors have confirmed that the 17-year-old from Barnsley in South Yorkshire, has had her left leg amputated above the knee and suffered a fractured hand in the incident.
Leah's boyfriend, 18-year-old Joe Pugh, was treated for two broken knees and extensive hand injuries, University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust said.
Alton Towers, which opened today for the first time since Tuesday's crash, said it was "deeply saddened" by news of Leah's injuries and insisted it would provide "full support" for all 16 people who were hurt.
27-year-old old hotel assistant manager Daniel Thorpe from Buxton in Derbyshire, and 20-year-old Vicky Balch, from Leyland in Lancashire, were also described as having been seriously injured in the crash.
Ms Balch suffered potentially life-changing injuries in the crash, and is expected to make a "substantial claim for damages" to support her recovery, her solicitor said last week.
