Alton Towers crash: Potential amputee Vicky Balch says she 'wanted to die' as she waited to be rescued from Smiler ride

Vicky Balch's lawyer she is "battling" to save her leg

Vicky Balch, a victim of the Alton Towers rollercoaster crash who faces having her leg amputated, has described how she “wanted to die” as she waited hours to be rescued from the ride.

The 20-year-old from Lancashire was among five people who were seriously injured when an empty carriage collided with another carrying 16 passengers on the Smiler ride on 2 June.

Ms Balch and three other park guests who were sitting in the front row sustained the most serious injuries in the crash.

Leah Washington, 17, has since had her leg amputated above the knee, while her boyfriend Joe Pugh, 18, shattered his knee.

Daniel Thorpe, 27, a hotel assistant-manager from Buxton in Derbyshire who was sat beside the couple, was discharged from hospital ten days after the incident over a collapsed lung and fractured leg.

Leah Washington was among the four riders seriously injured on a crash on The Smiler at Alton Towers (Image: Facebook)

Read more: Pugh speaks of 'anger' over accident for first time
Alton Towers crash victim Daniel Thorpe looking forward to 'getting better and getting home'

Paul Paxton, Ms Balch’s lawyer, said the victim is now “battling” to save her leg following the crash.

Speaking out about the crash for the first time, Ms Black told the BBC how endured a four-and-a-half-hour wait for rescue.

"It felt like slow motion. We banged into the car in front. I felt the bars go into my knees; we moved backwards and the car went into us again," she said.

"I passed out. I was awoken by Dan shouting my name. Everyone was screaming and I was in excruciating pain. I looked down and I could see blood all over.

"The bars were in my right knee.

"I thought it was never going to end. I just wanted to die.”

Mr Paxton, head of the personal injury department at Stewarts Law, has also revealed to the BBC that Miss Washington's father only realised his daughter was involved in the crash after he saw her on TV coverage of the aftermath.

The lawyer added that he believes the victims could claim millions of pounds in compensation following the tragic incident.

Alton Towers has said it is in contact with the victims of the crash and their families.

A spokesman said: “We have made contact with all the families and have assured them that we will provide full support to all of those involved, now and throughout their recovery and rehabilitation.”