Alton Towers amputee, 25, announces she is expecting a baby with her fiance five years after losing her leg in rollercoaster disaster
Alton Towers amputee Vicky Balch has announced that she is expecting a baby with her fiancé five years after losing her leg in a rollercoaster disaster.
The 25-year-old beautician from Preston was one of 16 injured when the Smiler ride hit an empty carriage on the tracks in June 2015.
When Vicky was in hospital after her amputation she feared she might never be able to have children but she and fiancé Dino Manciocchi, 26, have done three tests to make sure.
'Dino and I are so happy to be expecting. It is just the best news after everything that has happened – I can't quite believe we are going to have a baby.' Vicky told The Mirror.
Vicky Balch, 25, and Dino Manciocchi, 26, on holiday together. The pair are expecting their first baby after the tragedy of having to delay their wedding in Tuscany due to coronavirus
'After the accident I lay in my hospital bed devastated that I had lost my leg and that life would never be the same again.
'I would not get to wear the lovely shoes I had at home or go out dancing with my university friends or feel like a woman again. I did say to my mum, "No one is going to want me like this."
Vicky outside ITV studios in July 2016
'Even having a relationship seemed impossible, let alone having a baby. At times I was in so much pain that just making it through the day was tough enough, let alone thinking of my future and a family.
'I was also worried because of the extent of my injuries that my fertility may be affected and a few months after the accident I saw a specialist to find out if it would still be possible for me to conceive. Thankfully, I was told that it was.'
Vicky and Dino got engaged two years ago and would have been married last week in Tuscany were it not for the pandemic.
Vicky said that they started trying for a baby after the wedding was put off.
She had thought it might take time but three months after coming off the pill they conceived.
She said that she was amazed when the test came up positive and she burst into tears.
Dino was at work at his pizza over firm Valoriani, so Vicky drove to his office to share the good news.
Dino told the Mirror: 'I got a bit emotional when Vicky broke the news. I have always wanted to have children earlier so I'm young enough to enjoy them.'
CCTV footage shows the lead up to the incident on 2 June 2015, when two carriages collided on the Smiler rollercoaster at Alton Towers theme park
Vicky revealed in November that she had been given a multi-million pound payout after losing her right leg in the crash
Vicky is now 15 weeks pregnant and their baby is due in early March.
Alton Towers, in Staffordshire, which is owned by Merlin Entertainments, was fined £5 million over the Smiler crash.
Vicky revealed in November that she had been given a multi-million pound payout after losing her right leg in the crash.
She is using the money to fund her dream wedding which is now due to take place in July next year in Florence.
Vicky Balch, 25, from Preston, Lancashire, was due to marry fiance Dino Manciocchi, 26, in Italy last week but they had to delay their plans due to the pandemic