Alton Towers crash victims get married years after life-changing injuries
A couple who were famously injured in a freak rollercoaster crash at Alton Towers almost ten years ago have recently tied the knot.
Leah Washington and Joe Pugh got married this weekend (25/26 May), surrounded by family and friends after announcing their engagement in March 2022.
The former had been keeping fans updated with preparations for the wedding, and has now shared photos of the special day on social media.
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The pair tied the knot at the Woodlands Hotel in Leeds, UK, as the couple happily celebrated the occasion at a drinks reception that included live music.
But nine years ago, the couple were caught in a life-threatening situation during one of their first dates, with Leah telling OK! Magazine: "If you'd told either of us during the weeks that followed our horrific accident at Alton Towers that we'd be planning our wedding now, I don't think we'd have believed it."
They were just 17 and 18 years old at the time, and were sat in the front of the carriage on Alton Towers rollercoaster The Smiler when it rammed into a stationary carriage at 50mph.
She called the ordeal the 'longest 30 minutes' of her life, explaining: "My legs were caught between the safety bar and the ride in front, terrified and in excruciating pain, I was quickly losing sensation in my left leg."
Leah asked Joe for his phone to ring her mum for help, but he said he couldn't as his finger was 'hanging off'.
Both were eventually saved and put in intensive care. Joe had casts put on his leg and arms, with his kneecaps later recovering, though he would lose the use of one of his fingers.
Unfortunately, Leah was less lucky, as she had frequent trips to the hospital as she had to get used to having a prosthetic leg after losing her left one following the accident.
Joe revealed: "We drifted furthest away from each other, Leah was upset one night because I went out with friends when we were meant to hang out together.
"I was still only 19 and didn't have the emotional maturity to understand how my actions were affecting her."
The pair eventually soldiered on though, adapting to the 'new normal' with public attention and a court case while they made their relationship work.
After getting engaged in Italy two years ago, they have now celebrated putting a ring on it after a highly eventful history together, overcoming their significant injuries.
With Leah wearing an elegant white dress with a veil and elegant heels alongside a tuxedo and bowtie look from Joe, the sharp-looking couple could be seen enjoying the celebrations at the weekend.
One image shows the bride holding a drink and posing with some guests at the intimate ceremony.
A video on the influencer's Instagram story shows the happy couple walking out for the first time to a round of applause and cheering, while looking over the moon.
Topics: UK News, Health, Social Media, Sex and Relationships
Joshua Nair