New pictures of dramatic Alton Towers rescue

Four people were badly injured when a carriage on the Smiler ride hit an empty one last month and 12 others were trapped for several hours as emergency services attempted to rescue them.

Now Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has released previously unseen photos showing the crash scene from the firefighters' perspective.

This picture shows the scale of the June 2 rescue – more than 30 firefighters worked alongside ambulance crews and engineers.

It took four hours to free the last passengers.

Incident commander Dale Harrison, who has 21 years' experience, was in charge on the day of the crash.

He said he had told the fire crews beforehand that the rescue was probably going to be the most technical one they would ever carry out in their careers.

He said crews had difficulty getting access to the ride and as the incident unfolded, a helicopter filming and running commentary on social media, made the rescue more challenging.

Incident commander Harrison said: "The rescue for me, after 21 years in the service, was probably my most challenging rescue that I've ever carried out."

It has also been revealed that some of the firefighters involved in the rescue have since visited some of the victims they helped rescue in hospital.

Among the worse injured were Leah Washington, aged 18, of Barnsley and Vicky Balch, 20, of Lancashire, who have both had a leg amputated as a result of the crash.

Ms Washington's boyfriend Joe Pugh, 18, also from Barnsley, and Daniel Thorpe, 27, from Buxton, Derbyshire, suffered leg injuries.

Following an incredible recovery, Miss Washington was last week discharged from hospital, just in time to celebrate her 18th birthday.

Last night, she posted a picture of herself and Mr Pugh, marking the occasion at a celebratory meal, along with the caption: "18th birthday".