Alton Tower bosses take full responsibility for Smiler crash
The families of the victims most seriously injured on the Alton Towers Smiler crash have welcomed the promise of compensation from theme park bosses who vowed to take full responsibility.
It is thought Merlin Entertainments now faces paying millions of pounds out in claims over the next few weeks as lawyers seek a swift resolution.
Personal injury specialist Paul Paxton, from Stewarts Law, is representing 17-year-old Leah Washington, 18-year-old Joe Pugh and 20-year-old Victoria Balch.
He said their relatives had been pleased to hear Merlin had admitted liability and added: "I will be meeting with the solicitors acting for Merlin and its insurers this week to discuss the early release of money to assist with financial hardship and rehabilitation."
Mr Paxton has previously secured £23million for 13-year-old Agnes Collier from Cheltenham who was paralysed in a car crash.
On Monday, as the park re-opened for the first time, the true extent of the injuries caused in the horror crash came to light.
Doctors at Royal Stoke University Hospital confirmed Ms Washington, from Barnsley, has had her left leg amputated from above the knee.
While her boyfriend Mr Pugh, who sat next to her on the front row, suffered two broken knees and severe head injuries.
The pair's families expressed their gratitude for the support of friends and relatives as well as the care from medical staff and asked for privacy in the coming months as both teens face a long road of rehabilitation.
Ms Balch from Leyland is in a serious but stable condition.
Daniel Thorpe, from Buxton aged 27, was the fourth person on the front row and doctors at University Hospital Coventry where he is being treated confirmed he was stable.
Mother-of-two Chanda Singh, 49 and from Wednesbury, was confirmed as the fifth victim this week.
She has been treated at Walsall Manor Hospital for liver damage and blood clots.
