1. The Big Dipper
Park: Battersea Fun Fair (London, England)
Ride Opened: 1951
Deaths: 5 The Battersea Fun Fair was a celebrated addition to Battersea Park, filled with various rides, swings, and other attractions. The largest and most iconic of these was a roller coaster simply named The Big Dipper. Tragedy struck on the 30th of May, 1972, over 20 years after the coaster's opening. 31 people were on-board a train, when it detached from the drive chain on the top of the first incline. The train slipped backwards, hit a turn and derailed. An eight-year old girl and two teenage boys were pronounced dead at the scene, while two other children died from serious injuries shortly after. A survivor of the crash recounted the incident:
"The three packed wooden carriages slowly climbed towards the top of the 120 foot summit, being pulled by a steel cable - there was great excitement and anticipation for those on board for the thrills about to come. The rickety wooden structure of the ride creaked and groaned its way along. "But the carriages didnt make it to the top as they became detached from the haulage wire and started to slowly roll backwards. "I turned around and was shocked to see the brakeman, who was standing directly behind me and between the first and second carriages, frantically pulling the large steel brake. He had a look of horror as we gathered speed. I realised that we were going to crash if he could not gain control. The screams of joy quickly turned to cries of terror. "The brake had failed and we hurtled down the track towards the right angle turn at the start of the ride. With far too much speed, we didnt make the turn and the rear carriage derailed, crashed into the barrier and crumpled, taking the full force of the other two carriages. "In the initial moments following the crash, there was silence, then people started screaming and crying. All the expected fun of the fair had ended in tragedy. "Five children were killed and 13 others injured on this day, 30th May 1972. My friends and I were not physically injured."
The disaster resulted in accusations of manslaughter against the park manager and ride engineer, though they were both cleared of all charges. The Big Dipper was immediately closed and dismantled following the accident, and the fair's popularity declined heavily before closing permanently in 1974. The aftermath of the incident led to a nationwide review of fairground safety, and the Battersea Big Dipper tragedy has become known as the worst accident in theme park history. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3r8x3htc_4