| Archive for RCCGB FORUM Message Board for Members of the Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain to discuss club events and all things theme park related. |
| Nimmykins |
Accident on Blackpool's Big Dipperhttp://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk...ured-in-Pleasure-Beach.5544643.jpReport from the Blackpool Gazette says 21 injured. |
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| Magic |
Tis here too
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/8196412.stm |
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| Spanners |
Interesting how ITV news this morning they were reporting it while showing on-ride footage of the Big One.. | ||
| smiler |
http://www.screamscape.com/html/blackpool_pleasure_beach.htm
2 pictures can be found here |
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| coastergraham |
First of all best wishes to all the people injured.
At the moment the initial reports are conflicting. One report suggests that one train may have split but another report and the amount injured would suggest that one train has stalled around the Big Blue hotel and the other train has come into the back of it. |
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| krusty_the_clown |
Absolute radio implied that it wasn't a collision but the front car stopped suddenly and the remaining cars went into the back of it. it would have to be a very sudden stop for something like that to happen | ||
| Duff Man |
This just in from the Press Association:
Lancashire Police said it is not clear yet what caused the accident. A spokesman added: "At this stage it is believed a carriage became stuck on the track part way through the ride and was then struck from behind by a following carriage." Of the 21 people admitted to hospital, the youngest was seven and the oldest 51. One man, aged 25, had facial injuries, likely to require surgery, and another person is believed to have suffered a minor arm fracture, but the majority were treated for neck and back pain with minor bruises to legs, arms and chest. |
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| STEALTHYBUTBAD |
I have to admit i was very shocked to hear about the accident as the big dipper is one of my favourite woodies. Does this mean the ride is gonnas be shut for a period of time do we know whilst the accident investigators look into what happened ?. | ||
| Nimmykins |
http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk...t-Blackpool-theme-park.5544643.jp
There's a video report on the story now. It does seem as Krusty said, the front car stopped suddenly and the others crashed into the back. I hope all the people are going to be okay and the issue resolved. |
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| Duff Man |
I have a contact at the HSE press office, and they're not giving out too much info at this stage, understandably in incidents such as these. However she did say the ride would be closed indefinitely whilst the investigation takes place, although no timescales at this early stage until a cause of the accident is established. |
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| Magic |
I would say if 2 trains collided it will be shut for a while as at the very least they'll need repairing.
If it is a simple case that a train stalled and a second was dispatched to early then I suspect the insurance company will insist on additional measures being implemented to ensure a 2nd train cant be in the same block section as the first train. Expect magnetic braking and a computer control system to be installed along the lines of Grand National. The braking system that was installed on the Nash after the fire was at the insistance of the insurance company. If something more serious went wrong than human error in dispatching the train then there would have to be a more lengthy investigation. In any case I would hazard a guess that we won't see the Dipper run again this season and that more safety controls will end up being installed. |
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| coasterprince |
Inside information:
A piece of wood from the track wedged the first train stuck and the second train was dispatched before they realised the first one was stuck. Human error. |
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| Bambi |
So did this happen in the brake run? | ||
| mophead |
It was on the curved dip by the Big Blue Hotel. The first train got stuck at the top and the 2nd train hit the back and rolled backwards. Now whenever I've ridden the Big Dipper the 2nd train has not been despatched until the 1st train has reached the brake run so what happened for them to despatch it when the 1st train was completely out of view? | ||
| bradpeet |
That's more or less my thinking too. But I've also heard reports that the brake run is not always stopping the incoming train, so I wonder if they have changed operating practice to avoid any risk of a collision in the station? Of course, this is purely speculation - which will doubtless continue until the outcome of any inquiry at the very least. |
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| bluea61 |
I saw some of the ITV reports, the news reporter said that it was a terrifying experienece, then ask some questions fo the Fire Brigade. The first thing he said was that everyone was calm! I'd be suprised if they were dispatching before the other train returns as his could only cuase problems like this. Surely if they were trying to prevent trains from nudging in the station then the best idea would be to dispatch the train but hold it on the lift. It all seems to point to some change in the way the Big Dipper operates. |
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| Rogue |
I haven't got access to a scanner to be able to scan the article in, but there is a huge piece on this in the Blackpool Gazette including an article from Nev about it.
From the pictures it looks like it happened just behind the Big Blue hotel and the report speculates that the first carriage became jammed and the second carriage crashed into it. |
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| smiler |
Im in all different moods with this. 1. If the half way bell didnt ring then why did he send the train in the first plcae. 2. it takes at least one min to do the 2 lift hills so could stop it any time from there really. 3. Surley with all these rumours going around planks of wood sticking out etc etc surely one of those riders would of heard a bit of wood smashing in to a train at 35mph so dout full it stalled. 4. The daily star a close paper to the park due to its sposership with Vahalla said that the park is to get ride of the ride for something more scaryier and that screamscape is reporting that the steaple chase is to go. Who knows 
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| Andy Hine MBE |
Just been in contact with Amanda Thompson (Managing Director of BPB) and she said that the HSE have released the Big Dipper back to them. Only one person required an overnight stay in hospital.
Also, on some enthusiast forums are saying that the Steeplechase is going. This is 100% false. Amanda says she loves the ride and it is not going! |
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| Steven Burns |
Thats great news about the ride and i love Amanda Thompson for loving steeplechase lol, that ride would be to much to lose. People were saying the Big Dipper may go aswell, i love the ride. No new woodie could replace the classic they already have. Hope its future is bright still after this. |