Alton Towers crash: One Direction record video message for Leah Washington and offer backstage tickets





The singers were asked to get a message to Leah Washington and the teenager will not be disappointed with what they have done for her



Message: The 1D boys got in touch with Leah after hearing about her ordeal

One Direction are sending Alton Towers horror crash victim Leah Washington a personal video message wishing her well in her recovery and backstage passes to meet them once she is out of hospital.
The singers recorded a personal message to the 17-year-old after a campaign was launched by her pals to get the boys to send Leah a message after her shocking injuries.
Leah, from Barnsley, has had her left leg amputated above the knee after she was one of four people seriously injured in the horrific crash last Tuesday.
After friends heard of the amputation, a campaign was launched to get the band to send Leah a get well soon message, after it was revealed she was a massive fan of the group.
Sara Stuart, a friend of Leah, revealed today the campaign had proved successful.

WireImage One Direction attend the 2015 Billboard Music Awards
Support: One Direction have recorded a message to Leah who is in her hospital bed recovering
Posting to Twitter, she said: "I am delighted to tell you all Leah will be receiving a video message off the boys and backstage passes to one of their concerts when she has recovered!
"We couldn't have done it without you all!"
"Thank you again!"
The teenager had tickets to see the band perform last Saturday at the Summertime Ball on Saturday, but was unable to go due to the horrific injuries she sustained in the crash.
The video message comes after 1D singer Louis Tomlinson tweeted Leah directly to say he was thinking of her after she had part of her leg amputated.
Doncaster lad Louis sent the message of support to the 17-year-old, who is from nearby Barnsley.
The message, which has been retweeted more than 11,000 times, said: "Thinking about you Leah & hoping you are home in South Yorkshire soon Xx"
Louis sent the message directly to teenager Leah's Twitter handle @leahwashy.

Leah Washington who has been seriously injured in the Alton Towers crash
Amputee: Leah lost her leg in the horror crash
The 17-year-old is a massive fan of the band and has a huge picture of Harry Styles on her Twitter profile.
Leah Washington's friends appeal to get One Direction at her bedside in hospital
The campaign comes after Leah's family revealed the teenager has "many months of rehabilitation" ahead of her.
David Washington, Leah's father, spoke out today after it was revealed to the public that the teen had lost her left leg in the horror accident onboard The Smiler ride.
He said: "Leah has suffered a life-changing injury and now has many months of rehabilitation ahead of her.
"We would like to thank all the emergency services at the scene and all the hospital staff who saved Leah's life."
Mr Washington was speaking as pals of the teenager told how the 17-year-old will not be beaten by the horrific injury that saw her leg amputated.
Alex Ashmore told how the girl, who is soon to turn 18, would find a way to carry on and not be beaten by the horrific crash that cost her, her leg last Tuesday.
Mr Ashmore said: "I think Leah's quite motivational.

PA One Direction perform on stage
Huge fan: Leah was meant to be seeing the band at Wembly on Saturday
"I think nothing will stop her.
"Injuries like that you think they're not going to be able to do anything in life, but I think that's wrong.
"She's got lots to live for.
"She's looking at unis, she's turning 18 - she's got all sorts going off in her life and I don't think this incident, this inure, will stop her."

It was revealed today that Miss Washington had lost her left leg above the knee in the crash on The Smiler ride at Alton Towers on Tuesday.
Leah was on her first date with Joe Pugh when the pair boarded the ride on the front row.
They were two of four who suffered serious injuries in the afternoon crash, that then led to the theme park being shut down for almost a week.
Mr Ashmore was speaking about his pal after Alton Towers pledged to pay compensation to every victim on board the rollercoaster that crashed last week and admitted responsibility to those injured in the horror smash.

ITV News Alex Ashmore
Pal: Alex Ashmore said Leah will 'not be beaten'
In a letter to all 16 people hurt when The Smiler crashed, Merlin Entertainment, the company that owns the theme park, said it had told the victims to instruct a lawyer to submit a claim for compensation which would be dealt with "swiftly".
The group said in a statement: "Since the accident of last Tuesday we have done our best to provide appropriate communication and support to those involved and to their families.
"We absolutely recognise what a difficult time this is for everyone, especially those who have been so seriously injured, and we have tried to do this in a way that is both sensitive and appropriate
"Over the course of the weekend we have written again to all of the 16 people involved or to their families.

PA The Smiler ride at Alton Towers Resort in Staffordshire
The Smiler: The ride remains closed
"These letters were all hand delivered by Alton Towers representatives.
"Irrespective of the outcome of the current investigations into the causes of the accident, in these letters we have accepted full responsibility to those who had been injured in the accident and confirmed that we will ensure that compensation will be provided to them.
"We have recommended each of the injured guests or their families instruct a lawyer and submit a claim for compensation which we will ensure is dealt with swiftly and sensitively.
"In addition we have engaged the services of Health and Case Management Ltd (HCML) – a leading firm of specialist independent rehabilitation providers - to provide all of those involved with the best support for their individual needs whether from the NHS or by providing additional support and services.
Merlin Entertainments said it had carried out "a thorough review" of safety procedures as the park re-opened yesterday.
"HCML have already made contact with some of those affected in order to progress this."
Nick Varney, CEO Merlin Entertainments, said: "We are deeply saddened by the news about Leah and all our thoughts are with her and her family.
"We cannot undo the events of last week but everyone in the company and at Alton Towers is determined to do all we can to provide appropriate support to those who were injured and their families."
HSE inspectors have taken over the X-Sector section of the park, where popular rides Oblivion and Spinball are closed.