Britain’s oldest rollercoaster was evacuated on Thursday (23 July) after riders claimed it had “derailed”.
Reanna Harrison-Berry was enjoying a ride on the Big Dipper at Blackpool Pleasure Beach with her boyfriend Aidan Coltherd when the couple heard a “crunch” sound as the cart climbed uphill. Moments later, the pair — both aged 20 — say the carriage began rolling backwards.
They claim the rollercoaster then “derailed”, forcing all passengers to disembark.
A spokesperson for Blackpool Pleasure Beach declined to confirm whether the ride, which holds Grade II-listed status, had come off its tracks. They did, however, acknowledge that riders had been removed and that an internal investigation into the incident had been launched.
The Big Dipper has remained closed today (Friday, 24 July), reports the Manchester Evening News.
View 3 ImagesThe damaged Big Dipper at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.(Image: Aidan Coltherd© SWNS)
Reanna told SWNS: “As we went three-quarters of the way up the big hill, it just completely smashed backwards really quickly. The next thing we realised we were tilted to the left and the back carriage was completely to the right – it was quite scary.”
The mum-of-one, who had travelled to the seaside resort from Kendal, Cumbria, added: “We went pretty quick upwards, but then it juddered and rolled back really quickly. I was terrified, I’m not going to lie.
“I’ve never had that happen on a rollercoaster before. We didn’t really know what to do.”
Images shared on Reddit seemingly depict staff cutting through the rollercoaster’s barriers to help startled riders off.
Reanna says they were subsequently requested to provide statements, and were offered complimentary Burger King.
View 3 ImagesReanna Harrison-Berry and Aidan Coltherd.(Image: Reanna Harrison-Berry.)
“I couldn’t eat because I was so shaken up, but my boyfriend got a free meal and a couple of other people ate,” she said. “Then we got up to give a statement, and we got asked if we were going back to the park, on rides and stuff, or if we were leaving.
“I said, ‘I think we’re going home now’.”
A spokesperson from Pleasure Beach Resort said: “The Big Dipper came to a stop Thursday July 23, around 2pm, at a very low point in the ride. Following this, a manual deboarding took place with guests guided safely by trained operators.
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“All guests were checked by first aid trained staff, with no injuries reported. An internal investigation is taking place to determine the root cause.”
The Big Dipper was initially built in 1923 and rebuilt in 1934. The structure was manufactured by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc.
Rides last roughly three minutes and hit a top speed of approximately 35 mph.