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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

81 replies

Moghedien · 28/10/2014 18:17

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)

OP posts:
Original poster
Moghedien · 28/10/2014 18:44

"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."

His family have apparently stated they're not blaming anyone and have praised emergency services.

That's what I thought Cake, I've always been a bit scrawny so thinking back I can't believe I'm the only one who slipped and needed pulling in. Part of me thinks that's just how the ride is and I over reacted (in fairness I won't have been older than 10) , but my Dad wasn't a man to over react and I remember him telling the operator and my Mum I was nearly out altogether.

OP posts:
turdfairynomore · 28/10/2014 18:47

That's an horrific newspaper article! That poor man! Wooden coasters are NOT for people with back complaints. They are rough!! But that adds to the experience for most people I expect? I do hope that the man recovers-it seems pretty dire from reading that report!
Steeplechase! That's the one! It's not like riding!! You slide all over the place and there's precious little to hang on to! From memory, the grand national wasn't as rough and rickety as the mouse?? As a child/teenager we went every September during what was known as the "shipyard week" in NI-the first Monday after the second Saturday!! Hadn't been for about 30 years and went with my DS16 a few years ago. We had a blast! It was cold. And windy-the Big One didn't open til about 4pm-they were sending bags of ballast round for ages to test it out. But...like fools, we were in that queue as soon as it opened!! Great bonding experience!! There was another newish one that we loved too that you hung under the rails-insanity? Infusion! In-"something"!!! Having holidayed in Florida for a few years it was great to be able to ride coaster after coaster with very little wait. We had a great day (and now that I've recalled how great a time we had, we must do it again!!)

sickntiredtoo · 28/10/2014 19:02

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ArkhamOffett · 28/10/2014 19:04

We were never allowed to go on it, that and the Mad Mouse ride.

My Mum half fell off the GN and my Dad had to grab hold of her to stop her being injured.

I think because it's such an old ride it's been allowed to stay with a few ineffectual 'tweaks' whereas if it was a new ride being proposed it wouldn;t pass safety assessments.

browneyedgirl86 · 28/10/2014 19:06

What's the issue with the Wild Mouse? I went on it about 13 years ago and it was ok?

Will have to check next week when I visit!

turdfairynomore · 28/10/2014 19:14

im quite slight and in The Mouse I was lifting off the seat and being flung about a bit-quite jerky on the neck and back! I had a much more "padded" friend with me last time I rode it and she moved closer to wedge me in a bit more!! I never felt I was going to fall out though (which I did with Steeplechase!)- take off perhaps! But not fall out!

Original poster
Moghedien · 28/10/2014 19:17

I think you're wilfully misinterpreting me here sickntired. In order to be cross one doesn't have to be a cunt. He would for instance never call someone an arsehole, maybe you're projecting a bit there.

He would however be visibly upset and put across his anger in a reasoned polite way. Have you never been scared and shocked, but managed to be polite at the same time? As I said, my Dad was a gentle man, and not one to over react.

For instance ' I am very upset, when riding my daughter slipped and nearly came out. You said she was big enough to ride. I think you were wrong, she could have been injured.'

OP posts:
browneyedgirl86 · 28/10/2014 19:18

Ah thanks for that turd fairy! I'm very petite. And I have weak bones. (Didnt have back as a child) Perhaps one to avoid then!

Prizepudding · 28/10/2014 19:45

We were there just last week, dd and I liked the grand national and I don't cope well with rollercoasters. My husband who went on the big one didn't like the GN at all though. The steeplechase looked far too scary for me though, like someone else said, far too open to the elements. Glad we never went on the mad mouse by the sounds of it, dd was too small so sounds like that was for the best.

Rabbitcar · 28/10/2014 20:21

My DD used to love roller coasters. We went on the Grand National and she was so scared she cried. She was the right height etc btw. Never been on a rc since. SadI found it terrifying! Really felt like u were falling.

maddy68 · 28/10/2014 20:28

It's great fun. It's one of my favourite rides. He shouldn't have gone on that with that condition, plain foolish

It's a safe ride

Original poster
Moghedien · 28/10/2014 20:35

Hindsights 20/20 though maddy. I'm sure he never imagined this could happen. He was on with a young family member, enjoying a family day. Such a shame.

OP posts:
redautumnleaves · 28/10/2014 20:41

OP, you have just brought back some memories for me... my dad used to take me every year when I was little. I remember going on the big dipper, at the back, and almost being ejected out of my seat. I had to cling on hard. I was traumatised. Another time my dad let me and my brother ride in the cable cars alone, round trip so he'd be waiting for us where we started. At the end of the first half of the ride the operator accused me of standing up during the ride (I hadn't) and made me get off. I was only about 8. I had to walk back to the other end of the ride by myself.

maddy68 · 28/10/2014 20:43

There are huge signs on almost all rides that if you have back problems, high blood pressure etc etc that you shouldn't ride. He was really daft in all honesty. I suppose no one ever thinks it'll happen to us do we

Graendal · 28/10/2014 20:55

I reckon that's it Maddy. We don't imagine it'll be us. Poor man.

I'm rubbish with rides now red. It can be traumatic. I still go on for DS, but like a previous poster mentioned, Alton Towers is so swish and shiny I do feel a bit safer.

paddyclampo · 28/10/2014 20:58

Nowadays you at least have a bar across your knees on the Grand National. I think a lot of people who have nearly fallen off are talking about the Steeplechase where you sit on a horse.

I've taken my kids on the Grand National, it's their favourite. Probably more scary than the Big One.

Very sad about that man. If the ride was at fault, surely it would be shut down and surely the family would be kicking up a stink?

Summerisle1 · 28/10/2014 21:00

Fuck me, yes! It remains one of the most truly terrifying experiences of my life. Admittedly, I'm not over keen on rollercoasters but my experience on the Grand National is scarred into my psyche!

I was genuinely convinced that I was going to be thrown out of it. If it didn't collapse first, of course.

Graendal · 28/10/2014 21:08

"surely the family would be kicking up a stink?"

It's been reported that his family are not blaming anyone for this and are simply hoping for a good outcome.

I also didn't mean to imply that 'this' accident was a result of negligence.

It's just on hearing there was an accident in BPB (before I was aware of the details) I did immediately think of the grand national (the two coaster racing side by side) and was very surprised to see it still running.

Having seen videos on youtube of people riding it now it seems the restraints have been really upgraded since I was on it. I'm lucky as I had a lovely childhood and this really stands out for me.

Graendal · 28/10/2014 21:09

Sorry, have named changed to another character from Wheel of Tim and thought it would show my old one on this thread.

saintsandpoets · 28/10/2014 21:11

I bloody love Blackpool.

TSSpectreDNCOntheParanormal · 28/10/2014 21:15

My sister and I went on Steeplechase in 1981. It was dark. 33 years later we still talk about it as the most terrifying thing we've ever done, and we've done some scary shit.

bigTillyMint · 28/10/2014 21:16

I think I remember riding it about 35 years ago, when I was young and not scared by fairground rides!

Sounds like a horrific accident. Poor man and family.

Venticoffeecup · 28/10/2014 22:39

I feel very sorry for that poor man.

I am not a risk taker, I don't like heights, being upside down, traveling at speed or similar things. I have never been on a proper roller coaster.

I was most unwillingly taken to the Pleasure beach as a youngster and naturally vetoed all the rides. I was however persuaded to ride the Steeplechase. It will be nice and gentle, its got little horsies, just like a carousel for kids I was told.

It was not like a carousel. Angry

I don't know what was more terrifying, the fixed devil like expressions of the horses or the 50+ layers of varnish which rendered them more slippery then a banana peel in the rain.

I clung on for dear life and never went near that bastard thing again.

SomeSortOfDeliciousBiscuit · 28/10/2014 23:01

I used to be a ride operator for them. I feel so sorry for the man, but also for the person working the ride. There won't have been anything they could have done but they'll be torturing themselves over it.

FrancesNiadova · 29/10/2014 08:38

Biscuit, I worked there whilst a student, 1 summer as a cashier, taking the money on the rides!