Guests hurt at Big Dipper accident in Blackpool

[Cyrano]

More than 30 people have been injured in a crash involving two rollercoaster cars at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Two cars on the famous Big Dipper crashed and came to rest 20ft (6m) off the ground at about 1945 BST.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said about 32 "walking wounded" were taken to hospital by ambulance.

A specialist rope team was brought in to help get people off the ride, with stretchers and spinal boards used for the injured.

A number of passengers on the ride suffered whiplash, broken bones and back injuries.

The Big Dipper, a wooden rollercoaster, opened in 1923.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/8196412.stm

 

[PoppyAnna]

Never been on it but have seen it, I love the big woodys in the US but never liked the look of the big dipper. The only time I went to Blackpool I wasn't impressed with the way the Pleasure Beach was run, there were under height kids on rides and loading was very shabby. Not sure I'd put my kids on those rides. One of the issues I have with UK theme parks is the way that most rides seemed to be operated by teenagers. I generally don't have a big problem with this as most take their jobs seriously, however it does give me great comfort when I go to WDW and a lovely chatty friendly Octogenarian greets me at a ride or attraction and lets face it i know their checks are going to be good as the risk to their reputation is too great.

 

[irongirlof12]

how awful it must have been scary

 

[natalielongstaff]

oh thats awful. how scary

 

[Ware Bears]

How dreadful, just looked at the news update and it doesn't look like anyone has been seriously hurt, thank goodness.

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

I used to be a huge fan of Blackpool Pleasure Beach. On our last trip I was less then impressed and not entirely surprised that an accident happened.

The rides do seem to be run by very uninterestd staff (with exceptions).

The whole park could do with some sprucing up.

The children's characters are just a money trap. My daughter, used to WDW, ran up to their plush and hugged him. I went to take a photo and their staff told me I wasn't allowed! Sorry! Not allowed to take a photo of my own daughter!!!!???

Also the fact that they charge to get in doesn't seem to have helped matters. I thought it might!

Glad no one was seriously hurt.

 

[wideeyes]

I used to go on this ride a lot however haven't been on it in years as don't think much of Blackpool pleasure beach anymore.

 

[scottishgirl87]

I haven't been to Blackpool for YEARS but never felt particularly safe on any of their rides. I'm a "thrillseeker" and I always used to find it funny that you'd be on a kiddie ride and it had all the WARNING signs of don't stand up etc.....I'm already holding on for dear life and this is a baby ride

I remember a few years back that it came out they used sand bags to weigh down the rides when there wasn't enough riders....No thank you.

But then that's not to say that accidents can't happen anywhere else.

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

OMG that is scary! The poor people on the ride.