A man has been paralysed after breaking his neck in a freak funfair accident at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Robert Sycamore, 58, was injured while riding on a 50mph roller coaster and is now on a life support machine.

Firefighters had to him free from the ride and he was rushed to the Royal Preston Hospital.

Mr Sycamore was visiting the resort with his family and chose the 70-year-old Grand National wooden roller coaster as the first ride of the day with his great nephew Harry Parlour, 13.

But as the carriages sped along his body became limp and he slumped into the cart.

It is understood former JCB driver Robert suffered from spondylitis, an inflammation of the vertebrae in the back.

His nephew Darren Parlour said: “We don’t know how it happened or why it happened.

“We don’t blame anyone, we are just shocked.

“We don’t know if he hit his head, only time will tell.

“The surgeon said they can only take things minute by minute but any use of his body is a definite no.

“My son was with him and he’s come back screaming. Rob’s a big bloke and he was down in the footwell of the carriage.

“His ear was on his shoulder and he was totally blue and black, his neck snapped. The muscles collapsed and he’s just melted into the seat.

“The emergency services were unbelievable. How he stayed alive, I don’t know.”

 

Full story via Man breaks his neck in freak accident on Blackpool Pleasure Beach roller coaster – Mirror Online.