to ask if you ever rode the Grand National ride at Blackpool?

[Moghedien]

I've just seen in the news that a man has been seriously injured on this ride, my first thought was obviously how awful for him and his family and hoping that he recovers quickly.

But I remember riding this when I was small. Tall enough to go on according to them. I slipped up out of my seat and my Dad caught me. My Dad's a gentle man, but I've never seen him so cross as he was with the ride operator. This was the 80's, he complained and left.

Reading the news comment section (first page) brought up stories similar to mine. We complained, but as far as I know it was never followed up or anything reviewed.

I cannot believe this ride is still going, even after a revamp.

Anyone else rode this ride and had similar? (I am sorry if this subject feels ghoulish given the news, but that day at Blackpool is one of my worst memories and this has got me thinking about it all)

I have. I could have gone flying. And this was on 2007. I was 16.

Many times.

When I saw the headline earlier I thought it would have been the cat and mouse ride, that was always the scariest one for me. So rickety.

Did you complain Purple, can well understand if you didn't mind. Was awful.

I cannot understand how they can run rides that aren't so secure. I mean the safety regs must be so strict. When I'm on a rickety ride Southern I wouldn't assume it's not safe, now not so sure.

we were all on it last year - me, dh, dd (10), ds (7). You do fly out the seat a bit but it's fun!

Just found the article on the Blackpool Gazette's site. However, it says in the article that the man suffers from a back condition, and I'm sure rides like the Grand National have notices saying that the ride is not suitable for those with back problems, pregnant, etc.

www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/community/community-news/rollercoaster-horror-injury-1-6920196

The grand national is a normal roller coaster, you're all thinking of steeplechase.

I just found that too Muddling, interesting the Daily Mail article misses that detail altogether

I went on it a couple of years ago. I was terrified! It would have been very easy to fall off, I think.

And in fairness to BPL, he had a health condition which meant he shouldn't have been on the ride, it's only a small, kiddie coaster.

Very sad for the man and his family tho.

he should never have gone on it with a back condition as it goes up and down very fast mimicking the jumps of horses. It is a very bumpy roller coaster.

Yep. Me too. I had to cling on for dear life.

It was great!

the grand national is not a small kiddy coaster, it is a proper roller coaster with 2 coasters that race each other

we were at Blackpool just a few weeks - husband and kids went on Grand National and said it was very jolty, didn't like it at all - I mistakenly went on Steeplechase thinking it looked really tame - big mistake! I was petrified (disclaimer: I am a wuss)

The rides do say that - we were there at the weekend. He won't have jiggled around body wise as the seats are tight and if you are slightly bigger (like me) it's a snug fit ... Maybe with spondylitis his head has jerked and caused the damage.... Poor man I hope he will be ok.

What's the one that is a roller coaster but you ride on a horse?? It looks like a tame ride but you are held on only by a lap belt!! I love coasters but this was a bit scary!!

that's the Steeplechase. I felt a bit precarious and exposed on that one

Been on the grand national and the steeplechase. Going to blackpool next week funnily enough. Love the Grand national, hate the steeplechase. My sister persuaded me when we were younger "because you love horses it's just like riding"

Erm no its not!!

The steeplechase scared the life out of me. I was clinging on for dear life.

Never been on the Grand National though.

I went on it when I was a lung teen with my dad. I was terrified, kept jumping out of my seat. Put me off roller coasters for life!

I love this ride! But it's about 80 years old and I don't think that Blackpool look after their rides in the way that Alton Towers do, many of them look like they've seen better days. I know the last time I went on it I looked like it needed a good lick of paint and clean, and there were plants growing through the tracks.

I've ridden this too and Cat & Mouse. Both are old rides and behave fairly differently to the modern ones.

I've just read the article on the Blackpool Gazette and the report says this guy has spondylitis and I can't understand why if you have an existing problem with your vertebrae why you would get on a rollercoaster

oops massive x-post there!

Been on both many many many times and loved them, always come straight off the seat on grand national and have nealrly fallen off steeple chase a few times but they're fun.

I also have back problems but ride at my own risk and wouldn't complain if I had an injury resulting from me going on when technically I shouldn't.

I remember nearly falling off the steeplechase when I was about 14. Surprised more people don't.

Cat and mouse should be shut down though, I've had all sorts of bruises from that thing. Would quicker ride the highest and fasters coasters in Europe than that again!

I miss the glow in the dark waltsers. :(