Updates on Friday 22 April 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Monday
Leah Washington similarly lost a leg following the crash.
Her boyfriend Joe Pugh, from Barnsley, Daniel Thorpe from Buxton in Derbyshire and Chanda Chahan, from Wednesbury were also badly injured.
At the time, the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions said such accidents were "very rare".
Image source, APOne of those most seriously injured in the Smiler crash, Vicky Balch spoke to the BBC 's Victoria Derbyshire programme in September.
She said she still remembered the impact and feared she would not survive.
Since then she's learnt to walk with a new, bionic leg after initially desperately resisting the amputation.
Chris King
News reader, BBC Radio Stoke
Here are some of the main stories we are looking at in Staffordshire and Cheshire:
- Two victims of the Smiler rollercoaster crash have described the aftermath as being like "a horror movie"
- The grandmother of a toddler stamped to death by her own mother has said she can never forgive her murderer
- Fifty years after their World Cup win, members of England's 1966 football squad are gathering in Stoke-on-Trent tonight
Chanda Chauhan and daughter Vanisha Singh have described the aftermath of the Smiler crash as being like "a horror movie".
Alton Towers Smiler crash victims 'were in horror movie'
The pair were in the second car of the ride as it hit a stationary carriage on 2 June.
The crash left some people trapped 25ft (7.6m up) at an angle of 45 degrees for up to four-and-a-half hours.
In a statement released after the court hearing, the Health and Safety said Merlin had "acknowledged that it failed“
"Those injured on 2 June last year had every right to expect a carefree and fun day out. in its legal duty to protect people on the Smiler ride.
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“The incident was profoundly distressing for everyone involved, both physically and mentally. It left some with life changing injuries.
“We hope this first milestone will help those affected to continue their recovery from this tragic incident.”
Lucy King
News Editor, BBC Radio Stoke
The owner of Alton Towers has issued a statement following its guilty plea to breaching health and safety rules over the Smiler crash last year, saying it will continue to support the victims of the accident.
Quote MessageFrom the outset, the company has accepted responsibility for what happened in June last year and it has cooperated fully with the Health & Safety Executive in its investigation. We have sought to provide help and support to all those injured in the accident and will continue to do so."
Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd statement
In a joint statement issued following the court hearing, the most seriously injured said their recovery would be a "lifelong process".
"Given that such serious injuries could be sustained on a fun day out, it is hardly surprising that a criminal offence was committed.
"However, it is comforting for the families that a plea of guilty has been entered rather than the victims having to endure a drawn out trial."
"Today is not seen as a victory; the families are not motivated by retribution, but inevitably this guilty plea will be a milestone along the way to psychological rehabilitation," the statement added.
Phil Mackie
Midlands correspondent, BBC News
The Health and Safety Executive said Alton Towers' Smiler ride was mechanically sound, but there wasn't a "sufficient system in place" to prevent the accident, a court has heard.
It happened when a static carriage on the line was hit by another, critically injuring five people.
The computer on the ride correctly identified there was a carriage on the track, but staff didn't see it and overrode the computer, the court heard.
Image source, WMASPhil Mackie
Midlands correspondent, BBC News
Merlin will be sentenced at a later date at Stafford Crown Court and they could face a large fine.
The rollercoaster crash left five people seriously hurt, and in court the victims' statements said their and their families' lives had been turned upside down.
Image source, FacebookIn a statement issued after the Health and Safety Executive announced its intention to prosecute in February, Merlin said it had "co-operated fully" with the HSE investigation.
The firm said it had continued to support those injured in the crash.
The owners of Alton Towers have pleaded guilty at Newcastle Under Lyme Magistrates' Court to health and safety breaches over the Smiler crash last year.
Lee Blakeman
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Here are some of the main stories we are looking at in Staffordshire and Cheshire:
- Alton Towers owners set to appear in court on allegations of breaching health and safety rules
- The grandmother of a toddler stamped to death by her own mother has said she can never forgive her murderer
- Cheshire Police says most of the guns handed in during its latest gun amnesty were antiques
Phil Mackie
Midlands correspondent, BBC News
Two other victims of the Smiler crash on 2 June 2015 have arrived at the court.
Vicky Balch and Leah Washington, both had to have a leg amputated following the crash.
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Phil Mackie
Midlands correspondent, BBC News
Merlin Entertainment, the owners of Alton Towers, is in court today to face a charge of breaching health and safety rules over The Smiler rollercoaster crash which left five people seriously hurt.
One of them Chanda Chauhan, from Wednesbury, has just arrived at the court in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
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Ayeeshia collapsed in Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, after suffering injuries similar to those associated with a car crash, Birmingham Crown Court heard.
It was the latest in a string of injuries leading up to her death in May 2014.
A serious case review is being carried out by the Derbyshire safeguarding children's board .
Tracey Bodell, from Swadlincote, Derbyshire, (pictured) said the 21-month-old girl "was a delight".
"She was such a happy child. You wouldn't have thought she was going through anything," she said.
The grandmother of a toddler stamped to death by her own mother has said she can never forgive her murderer.
Ayeeshia Jane Smith suffered fatal injuries at the hands of Kathryn Smith.
Image source, SWNSTracey Bodell said she did not know what her granddaughter had been through until she heard the evidence in court.
Smith was jailed for at least 24 years. Her then partner, Matthew Rigby, 22, was jailed for three years and six months after being found guilty of causing or allowing Ayeeshia's death.
The owners of a playgroup burgled just before Christmas have slammed the decision of a court to impose a £300 compensation order on the 15-year-old offender, external.
Lee Blakeman
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Here are some of the main stories we are looking at in Staffordshire and Cheshire:
- The company that owns Alton Towers is due in court in Newcastle today, facing a health and safety charge following last year's Smiler crash
- Cheshire Police is urging people to continue handing in unwanted or illegally held weapons, despite their gun amnesty now being over
- Fifty years after their World Cup win, members of England's 1966 football squad are gathering in Stoke-on-Trent tonight
BBC Travel
There are delays on the M6 northbound between J10 for the A454 (Wolverhampton) and J11 for the A460 (Cannock).
It's due to a broken down vehicle. More details on BBC Travel.
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
A cloudier and cooler day across the area today with patchy rain affecting southern parts at times.
Welcome to Friday.
We'll be in the BBC newsroom, bringing you all the latest news, sport, travel and weather updates for Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and Cheshire until 18:00.
If you want to get in touch or send us your photos, you can email us, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or use Instagram for photos, external.
