Student Joe Pugh has returned to the scene of his Alton Towers horror smash for the first time.
University of Huddersfield student Joe, 19, had to learn to walk again after his knees were shattered in the crash on the Smiler ride in June.
His girlfriend Leah Washington, 18, was also badly injured and needed to have part of her left leg amputated.
The couple, who had not been dating long when the accident happened, are now helping each other get over mental and physical trauma.
They have become closer and have just had their first holiday together, spending a weekend in Munich.
Joe said: “Having each other for support has helped a lot. I’m so proud of how far we have both come.
“I had counselling for six weeks after the accident because I had issues with being in confined spaces and was getting anxious in crowds.
“I went back to Alton Towers because my counsellor recommended it. It’s incredibly difficult to talk about but I wanted to get stuff out of my mind. It has been such a traumatic year.”
Leah had been seeing textiles student Joe for only a few weeks when they went to Alton Towers.
She nearly died twice on the ride and had two operations during her six weeks in hospital.
Instead of going to university as she planned, Leah is living with her family in an adapted bungalow.
“I’ve been getting on really well,” she said. “Physically, it’s been a slow and steady improvement, and I’m shocked at how well I’m doing.
“This has been the worst year of my life but then one of the best.”
Last month Alton Towers said the Smiler crash was caused by human error. Joe, Leah and 14 other victims are set to receive compensation.
