Man paralysed after neck breaks on rollercoaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Father on life support machine after freak accident at Blackpool theme park

A man has been left paralysed and on a life support machine after his neck snapped while riding a rollercoaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Robert Sycamore, 58, was injured while riding the 50mph Grand National wooden rollercoaster, which he chose as the first ride of the day with his great nephew, Harry Parlour, 13. But as the pair went around the tracks, Mr Sycamore slumped into the cart as his body became limp. Mr Sycamore was known to suffer from spondylitis, inflammation of the vertebrae in the back, reports the Blackpool Gazette. According to the Mirror, 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 Daily Mail reports that he added: "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." Speaking to the Daily Record, a spokesman for Blackpool Pleasure Beach said: "There was an incident on the Grand National in which Richard Sycamore required emergency treatment from the emergency services. "We do wish Mr Sycamore the earliest recovery and we are in contact with his family. "Our enquiries have not revealed any faults or problems with the ride which has carried almost 500,000 guests in 2014 without incident. "We do now understand that Mr Sycamore had an underlying back condition." According to Wikipedia, the Grand National wooden roller coaster was designed and constructed by Charles Paige in 1935 and is now one of only three of its kind in the world. It stands at 62ft high and has a track length of 3302ft. Back on 20 May 2004, an electrical fault in the lighting system of the roof of the ride's station caused a fire which destroyed the station and parts of two adjacent rides as well as the trains of the ride. The station was rebuilt and new trains installed and the ride re-opened on 28 October 2004 after repairs were completed.