Alton Towers Smiler crash survivor Vicky Balch, announces engagement
Alton Towers Smiler crash survivor Vicky Balch, 23, announces engagement to her ‘best friend’ and boyfriend of a year
- Dino Manciocchi, 25, proposed to Smiler crash victim Vicky Balch, 23, on Friday
- The couple had been enjoying a romantic retreat at Mottram Hall in Cheshire
- Ms Balch was forced to undergo a leg amputation after the horror crash in 2015
Alton Towers crash victim Vicky Balch has announced her surprise engagement to her boyfriend of a year.
Dino Manciocchi, 25, proposed to Ms Balch on Friday during a romantic retreat to Mottram Hall in Cheshire.
She shared a photograph of her ring on Instagram on Saturday, announcing the news with the caption: ‘Can’t believe my best friend asked me to marry him Friday.’
Dino Manciocchi (left) proposed to Vicky Balch (right) on Friday during a romantic retreat to Mottram Hall in Cheshire
‘I had no idea he was going to propose and couldn’t believe it when he asked me. I’m so happy and excited for the rest of our lives together,’ she told the Mirror.
Mr Manciocchi, a pizza company owner, had laid rose petals and heart shaped balloons on the bed before popping the question.
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He said: ‘She kept me waiting to say “yes” for a few minutes as she couldn’t quite believe it but once she realised I was serious she couldn’t stop crying she was so happy.
‘She is a wonderful person who is so mentally strong. She supports me through everything I do and she really does deserve to be happy and I’m so happy to be part of that.’
Ms Balch shared a photograph of her ring on Instagram on Saturday, announcing the news with the caption: ‘Can’t believe my best friend asked me to marry him Friday’
Ms Balch, from Leyland in Lancashire, was forced to amputate her right leg after the Smiler rollercoaster crashed into an empty carriage with the force of a ’90mph car crash’ in June 2015.
At least 16 were injured and five people were seriously hurt.
She last week revealed a new £60,000 prosthetic leg which she said will allow her to wear heels and paint her toenails again.
Ms Balch, from Leyland in Lancashire, was forced to amputate her right leg following a horrific rollercoaster smash in June 2015
The innovative new leg, which is adorned with flowers and has a pink sparkly cover, has a rotating heel, allowing Miss Balch to wear higher angled shoes.
Leah Washington from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, also had to undergo a leg amputation as a result of the horror crash.
The two women are now suing the owners of the park for millions of pounds.
Miss Balch’s lawyers claim the injuries she sustained were due to the ‘negligence and or breach of statutory duty’ of Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd.
The claim to the High Court in September this year accuses the firm of ‘failing to take any or any adequate care to ensure the reasonable safety of the Claimant whilst on the Smiler.’
It is understood that the filing of a claim is a purely procedural step taken by the claimants to protect their position, but it has been estimated by legal experts that they could be entitled to around £2 million.
Merlin has already been hit with a £5million fine after judge Michael Chambers called the theme park a ‘shambles’.
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