A woman who lost a leg in a horrific rollercoaster crash at Alton Towers has become a mum.
Vicky Balch gave birth to baby boy Venanzio on Monday, six years after riding the theme park’s Smiler attraction which changed her life forever.
The 25-year-old feared she would never have a baby after having a leg amputated but delivered her first born via an emergency C-section.
In a touching Instagram post announcing the birth, Vicky said: “Finally ready to introduce the newest member of our family Venanzio Joseph Manciocchi born 12/3/2021 after an emotional rollercoaster which ended in emergency C-Section and 3 nights in Neo-natal the family is finally home and ready to enjoy many memories.”
She also posted a photo of her cradling little Venanzio in her hospital bed and another of her partner Dino carrying the tot out of the hospital, Mirror reports.
When she first announced her pregnancy, Vicky from Preston, Lancashire said: “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.
“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.’
“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.”
The couple got engaged in 2018 and were due to wed last year, but they had to postpone their wedding in Italy due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Vicky says they had started trying for a baby after the wedding was postponed.
Vicky managed to buy her first home after recieving a multi-million payout from Alton Towers.