Big dipper at Battersea fun fair

[@gaynor1721]

The Big Dipper was famous in my childhood, although I never rode it. Only ten months after the above was filmed, five people lost their lives on the ride, resulting in its decline and closure in 1974. The title sequence of Journey to the Unknown was filmed there.

[@darganx]

Journey To The Unknown - wow a serious flashback there! The title sequence freaked me out as a kid 😱

[@nicolebourcierphotographer]

I loved going on this ride, Oddly enough while viewing this film I really could again experience the ups and downs of the ride as if it was yesterday. It is a shame the park closed after the tragic accident as there were many other attractions there to enjoy. It also did not stop me trying all the rollercoasters in Blackpool too on a visit.

[@ShizukaOG]

*Rest In Peace.* *David Site.* *Alison Wandsworth.* *Simon (unknown last name)*

[@letsdiscussitoversometea8479]

...Alison _Wandsworth???_ Are you sure?! Sorry if I'm unfairly doubting you.

[@darganx]

I like how that kid at the end walked off like a boss!

[@archaicamusement3871]

😂👏👏

[@pbyoufc]

I remember my Dad taking me on the Big Dipper. I would have been around 4 years old. I remember it clearly. Bright sunny day, bright white wooden roller coaster, I remember waiting ages in a queue to get on it. It was a frightening ride, shaken around. I remember Battersea Fun Fair clearly. A handful of days later after this visit, at home my Dad quickly prompted me and pointing to the telly that on the news people have died on the Big Dipper and we were on it a few days earlier. Every time I hear the Elton John song "Rocket Man" I always think of Battersea Fun Fair. There should be a monument in memory of the children who lost their lives on the Big Dipper and it's shocking that the people responsible for the upkeep and ownership of the Big Dipper got away with it.

[@egonrhoodie2745]

Fond memories of my childhood there remember walking along the bridge high up in the air and the Mexican hat ride 🌉🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️🎊Pretoria South Africa

[@jeanmay-millman4124]

So sad, 😢 on that day😢😢 thank you for sharing .

[@cloudusterable]

The failing was the rachet mechanism that locks the train soid and prevents it rolling back like it did in the case of the hauling cable breaking, I think it had one fitted, but failed, all coasters have it...old and new.

[@paulshirley6383]

Big dipper at Battersea fun fair denn love louisshirley

[@juliemunro1]

I went to this fun fair when I was a child but really can't remember that much about it

[@ladyche85]

Still a great price of history , sad about the deaths .

[@mrlukeh3155]

The chain is a rope, that’s why it broke. Nowadays roller coasters with rope are only allowed to operate 1 train because of the accident

[@cloudusterable]

But should have had the rolling back locking device.

[@kendawyatt673]

You can actually see where the train would’ve set railed if this cart rolled back

[@petercdowney]

My Granny (b. 1934) remembers going on this during the 1950s. She didn't enjoy it.

[@BlighterProductions]

dennis king the ride is opened in 1951 and it failed at 1972 but on 1970 a fire wielded at big dipper i figured out

[@VirreFriberg]

Old School Cameras

[@mittenskittyfilms9144]

That must be why it's making that stupid sound

[@darganx]

@@mittenskittyfilms9144 don't you dare knock the 8mm cameras, you get more depth out of those than any normal digital camera today.

[@IDowney1988]

There is a Big Dipper at Blackpool.

[@anthonymcdonnell6615]

the chain is a rope

[@ThatGirlAliJ]

Anthony Mcdonnell it’s stupid that they put a rope has the chain

[@anthonymcdonnell6615]

@@ThatGirlAliJ i know, one of the reason why the big dipper at Rhyl went at the same time

[@Altoclarineto]

@@ThatGirlAliJ I think because of how incidents like battersea didn’t happen very frequently with rope

[@WOWsoAmaze]

Hello Dennis. Great video, could you check your private messages please?

[@JackHausmann-o1k]

Why

[@NotNiekie]

Why did he need to?

[@MsTinkerbelle87]

@@NotNiekie why the f do you think he’s gonna answer 4 years later???

[@NotNiekie]

@@MsTinkerbelle87 sorry

[@darganx]

Maybe he checked his msgs 4 years ago and none of you suckers knew it 😝

[@michaelswallow7399]

A really sad, crappy useless ride. Only famous because it wasn't maintained properly and ended up killing children

[@robonaught]

No dude the ride was popular before the tragic accident.