Taking a quick dip with the Big Dipper
It has been revealed that Blackpool theme park may face a huge compensation battle, after one of their rides malfunctioned.
Predictions have been made that the victims of the Big Dipper crash, will file accident claims and personal injury claims to be compensated for back pains, broken bones and whiplash.
More than 30 people were injured when Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s most popular rollercoaster, was the scene of a major incident involving Lancashire Fire and Rescue Services this month.
It is thought that the collision happened when two cars on the Big Dipper rollercoaster smashed with each other.
Trapped in the air
The victims were left trapped on the ride 50 feet above the ground. Emergency services called in a specialist rope team to help people off the roller coaster.
The victim’s injuries ranged from whiplash to broken bones. Several people were treated at nearby Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said around 32 people were evacuated from the ride using assorted stretchers, spine boards and neck collars and brought to safety by a specialist rope rescue team.
One dad, 27, of East Kilbride, Scotland, was on the ride with one of his children and commented on the crash: "One car crashed into the other. We were going quite fast at the time around 30 miles an hour at a guess.
"We were at the back and were led off the ride by the Pleasure Beach staff. I have to say it was a bit scary."
The Health and Safety Executive are launching an investigation into the accident. It has been reported that they will be focusing on the roller coaster braking system which is supposed to keep the cars apart at all times.
It appears that a dark cloud is looming over Blackpool theme park this 2009.
Just a few weeks ago, towards the end of July, the park witnessed another malfunction on one of its rides.
Crazy frog goes haywire
The arm on the Crazy Frog, at the Central Pier, snapped off just before 10.30pm Wesnesday29th July. The accident left two riders needing hospital treatment.
Fire fighters arrived at the horrifying scene to find a girl trapped in the carriage attached to the arm that had broken off. She suffered minor leg injuries, while another woman was hit by a piece of shrapnel from the ride.
Crew manager Mark Warwick, of Lancashire Fire and Rescue, stated: "We got the call saying the ride had collapsed and persons reported [trapped] - we feared the worst.
"Fortunately when we arrived it wasn't as bad as first thought and most people had been able to get off the machine. Our crews were able to safely escort most people off the ride by guiding them down the tracks, providing physical support and reassurance that we would get them safely down.
"One girl was a bit stuck but we led her to safety and she received treatment to her leg."
The Health and Safety Executive launched an investigation into the malfunction.
In 2007, Pleasure Beach was the 14th most visited theme park in the world, and most visited in Britain, attracting around 5.5 million people.
Updated on 8/12/2009