Amputee Advocate Leah Washington-Pugh Vows to Support Others After Alton Towers Tragedy

Ten years after the devastating Alton Towers rollercoaster crash, Leah Washington-Pugh, who lost her leg in the incident, is now using her experience to support other amputees. The 28-year-old from Barnsley has become a volunteer "patient ambassador" at a new £105 million National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) set to open by the end of this year.

Leah, who was just 17 at the time of the 2015 accident, recalls the "massive shock" of losing her independence and having to rely on her parents and nurses again. While she sometimes still longs for a "normal life", Leah says she feels "lucky to be where I am now" and is determined to help others navigate the challenges of amputation.

Joining Leah as an ambassador is Luke Pickering, a 32-year-old from Annesley who was left paralyzed from "head to toe" in 2023 due to the rare Guillain-Barré syndrome. After a lengthy hospital stay and intensive physiotherapy, Luke is now able to walk again and has returned to work as a self-employed mechanic. He believes the new NRC facility will be a "massive game-changer" in improving recovery for people with severe injuries and illnesses.