Blackpool Big Dipper Crash

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Blackpool Big Dipper Crash

Postby porterm » 11 Aug 2009, 21:35

I've just heard reports of a mishap on BPB's Big Dipper earlier this evening. I'm not sure what exactly happened; apparently it happened on one of the turnarounds.

I'd hope it was not physically possible for two whole trains to collide (maybe one or two carriages parted from the main train and then rolled into each other). I'm sure we'll hear the full details soon. I hope no-one was too badly injured, although around 21 people were reported to have been affected.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lanc ... 196412.stm


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Postby EAS » 11 Aug 2009, 23:57

I've just read the updated BBC report,

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lanc ... 196412.stm


Dozens hurt in Big Dipper crash

The rollercoaster opened in 1923
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.



Awful. Let's hope that it's not made an excuse to get rid of it.

It's made a number of the nationals, here's the Times:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/u ... 792903.ece

The cars were 6m (20ft) above the ground when one rammed into the other at 7.45pm, causing 32 people to be evacuated.

Two were trapped until they were freed by firemen from Lancashire Fire and Rescue. The fire brigade transported the victims down from the ride, on the South Shore of Blackpool, using stretchers, spine boards and neck collars.

Some 21 people were taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital, three of whom were carried on stretchers. The most seriously injured people are believed to have broken noses, whiplash and cuts and bruises.
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Postby EAS » 12 Aug 2009, 09:08

Latest news:

Stuck car caused Big Dipper crash

The rollercoaster was constructed in 1921
Two carriages collided at Blackpool Pleasure Beach when one of them became jammed on the rails, police have said.

Thirty people were injured when the second carriage crashed into the back of the first car on the Big Dipper ride on Tuesday evening.

Up to 21 casualties were taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital with facial, back and neck injuries. Seven are still receiving treatment.

The ride is closed while the Health and Safety Executive investigates.

'Walking wounded'

After the crash, the two cars came to rest 20ft (6m) off the ground.

Firefighters rescued the riders using a specialist rope team, stretchers and spinal boards.

Mark Alderson, station manager at South Shore fire station, said: "We started to evacuate the people that were trapped at the high level.

"These casualties were the 'walking wounded' and only had minor injuries.

"They were removed from the carriages and away from the incident to a casualty clearing station.


It may be an old ride, but that does not mean it is not safe

Ian Bell, Coaster Force
"The more seriously injured were stabilised in position. We then took the casualties from the ride in stretchers and down on to the ground level using specialist rope rescue equipment."

Ian Bell, head of Coaster Force, a group dedicated to rollercoasters at attraction parks, said the crash was one of the worst he had seen for two years.

"This is probably one of the most serious accidents I have heard about for a while.

"The Big Dipper was closed two seasons ago as part of the track had to be removed to make way for the new ride, Infusion.

"It may be an old ride, but that does not mean it is not safe. The older (they are) the more checks they have - it certainly won't stop me from going on it.

"It's one of my favourite rides in Blackpool."

Investigation under way

A spokesman for Blackpool Pleasure Beach said that an investigation was under way to establish the cause of the incident.

He said: "There were 32 riders in total. Seven of those are being treated in hospital this morning.

"The Big Dipper will remain closed while investigations continue but all other rides at Pleasure Beach will open as usual at 1030 BST.

"The Pleasure Beach team are working closely with the emergency services and the Health and Safety Executive."

The Big Dipper was constructed in 1921, has a track length of 3,295ft (1013.85m) and has a maximum speed of 35mph (56kph).
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Postby furie » 12 Aug 2009, 11:20

Really bad news :(

It's definitely two trains that have collided. Each train carries 24 people, so for 32 to be injured, there had to be two trains collide.

No idea why the second train was released into an unsafe block section - guess that's what H&S will be looking at now.

I think it's safe to say that at the least, the ride will now get a fully automated system like the Grand National...

All the best to those hurt.
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