The 'forgotten' rollercoaster disaster of Battersea funfair

On 30 May 1972 the Big Dipper at Battersea Park in south-west London crashed, killing five children and injuring 13 others.
Almost 50 years later, survivors say the tragedy has been forgotten and are calling for a permanent memorial at the site of the ride.
Video by Anna O'Neill and Jamie Moreland
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[@unarmedduck]

Survivors guilt must be such a horrible feeling. I hope you find peace one day Liz.

[@touristattractionalfie9376]

The reason it rolled back was because it had no anti rollback systems and the chain snapped, rollercoasters actually have these and the reason they didn’t is because it was made in the 1920s, anything after 1950 has an anti rollback system.

[@bubblegaminglol]

It opened in 1951

[@cerneuffington2656]

@@bubblegaminglol The Big Dipper wasn't a new ride when the funfair opened.

[@ChrisCooper312]

Actually it did have an anti-rollback system, but it was so badly maintained that it failed as soon as it was needed.

[@robinfryer479]

Not an accident/act of nature. Criminal Negligence and 5 cases of manslaughter.

[@julianaylor4351]

I always wanted to go to Battersea funfair, after this I never went. I was not told about this properly for years, by my late parents. It's appalling to know the truth. Someone should definitely get a memorial plaque installed. It's another cover up like the Bethnal Green disaster in the underground station there, during World War Two. That took much longer to come out and be memorialised.

[@anonwoohoo]

Thanks, now I have another rabbit hole to go down.

[@julianaylor4351]

@@anonwoohoo There are channels on railway related disasters to try.

[@kazzam8514]

God bless you all and the poor innocent children who lost their lives on the ride that day. I don’t live too far from Battersea and I can promise you, it’s not forgotten. I hope the local authority display a fitting memorial soon. It’s well overdue.

[@stevecox7075]

Is that the same god who let five children die in the accident?

[@flame-29936]

@@stevecox7075 while I personally don't believe in any religion I believe its important to respect others decision to believe in whatever they wish as long as it doesn't harm ppl and they aren't forcing ppl. This person isn't spamming their beliefs in the comments (which pisses me off), they aren't harming anyone. So why are you shaming them? Most believe in religion because it brings them comfort and when discussing such a horrible event people should take all the comfort they can get without being judged. Edit: but yes I see your point, it's one of the biggest reasons I personally can't believe that a god exists x

[@gutz323]

@@flame-29936 also sometimes it's just a figure of speech, many non religious people use the phrase without even thinking about it.

[@gutz323]

I have never heard of this, its seems to have been brushed under the carpet and forgotten about (maybe on purpose). I'm very surprised there isn't already a memorial in place.

[@1977ajax]

I went on it around that time, and I can tell you that it was scarier than any modern version. Not because of the speed or the height, but because it wobbled and shook dangerously round every turn, and you could see the rusty nails holding the parts together!

[@janea57]

I know Liz and knew Alison and remember waving them off as they went to the station that morning, but only Liz came back. So glad that this will finally be recognised.

[@pinklickpony7162]

It was my 6th birthday, we went to Battersea Park as a special treat. I've never liked fairs since. I'll never forget about it.

[@jonbishop1385]

I'm 66 now, I was queued up to go on that ride, I and a friend were near the back of the Queue to go on , I didn't want to ride on the back and I convinced my friend we should go on the riffles and come back for the next ride.... Best decision of my Life!! whilst on the riffles we heard this massive crash !, Screaming, it seemed like minutes before ambulances arrived , I remember a Girl in a Black Crombie coat laying on the floor, she had long blond wavy hair, but quite distraught, It was a part on the Jeremy Vine show today (bbc with Tina Daheley) sitting in ) that brought me to this video , My heart goes out to all family members of those that didn't survive and those that have had to live with this Sad memory

[@drinks_]

Omg! That's must have been awful. You're so extremely lucky you decided to not do it. I hope your alright ❤

[@fredtraylen4311]

My Nan used to work at moorgate city of London just passed old street she got the exact time train every morning but the morning of the moorgate tube disaster something told her not to get on she always had a gift for that.

[@RollerbazAndCoasterDad]

As a Battersea boy I can tell you this isn't forgotten.

[@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.

[@susanmitchell4744]

It’s about time a memorial was erected. I asked Royal Parks if a memorial could be erected in Hyde Park for all those souls who drowned in the Serpentine; including my 26 year old son. The answer was they do not want a ‘plethora of memorials’ in the park. Gross negligence caused his death, nobody cared. The police weren’t interested; those who watched him drown weren’t interested, except one and Royal Parks certainly don’t care.

[@purplesunflower8242]

Aww RIP your son 😔

[@randommandem9801]

Never heard about this before but the least they could do is give them a memorial

[@Arfabiscuit]

I used to go there with my mum and dad before this happened loved it . Mum died in 1971 when i was 6 died followed 2016 reunited at last he never loved another woman .

[@andrewthomas3270]

It’s Diabolical but I’m not surprised that no one has been held responsible for this tragedy. 😢 I hope there will be a memorial at long last, it’s the least that can be done for those poor Children. RIP 😢😢

[@louisjardine]

The bottom line is there was no such thing as health and safety in the 1970s and that’s ultimately why those kids lost their lives going on rides like that in those days you’d literally be putting ur life into the hands of dodgy mechanics or whoever build the rides if those kids had riden on a similar ride today they’d almost certainly be okay on it and they’d be alive today

[@redblade8160]

Andrew Thomas. Funfairs and theme parks have a “get-out-clause” if something disastrous were to happen on any of the rides; you go on the rides “at your own risk”!

[@GAFVM]

so this is why Alton Towers had to pay millions to the victims of the smiler crash...........

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

if I understand history correctly, two people were charged with the crime - I believe the manager and head of maintenance, but neither were convicted.

[@marcussewell7678]

I never will forget it i always wanted to go on it as a kid.

[@juliepashko7458]

I used to go there as a child. I never realised why the Fair closed down. Such a tragedy.

[@1ChxnceLxnce]

RIP to the five that sadly died.

[@petercdowney]

My Granny (b. 1934) remembers going on the Big Dipper during the 1950s. She didn't like it at all, and hasn't been a fan of roller coasters ever since. I have mentioned to her that the 1972 crash on the Big Dipper was the last fatal crash on a roller coaster in the United Kingdom. Although she wouldn't enjoy roller coasters even if it weren't for the 1972 crash, many wouldn't accept her anyway due to the loss of her ability to walk unassisted in her advanced age.

[@hivemistressherguineapigfa8563]

I know about this, it's not forgotten by me.

[@bronoun8884]

Me neither, i saw it

[@maximoo9861]

I was 6 years old and had been at Battersea funfair the week before this disaster with my parents and little brother. We didn't go on the big dipper but I remember my parents telling me of a terrible accident there the week after we had been and how lucky we were not to have been on that awful day. RIP to the people who died

[@gazza2933]

They should be remembered. May They Rest In Peace. 💐

[@christophermicahgowing5804]

This is a perfect example of how disgusting councils are and operate. Not even a tree to remember those who died on that land. Disgusting

[@ii-iz2xf]

💯

[@lordsnooty61]

I remember riding on this many times. I loved it. Remembering the victims on the 50th anniversary. RIP.

[@keithdonnellan5564]

I went on it when I was young. Ben Bros was the name I think. It was a very small ride compared to today's. Mostly made of wood.

[@chrischibnall593]

The manager and engineer were acquitted, and had been defended by George Carmen QC, who later defended Jeremy Thorpe.

[@melgrant7404]

Say no more. Typical.

[@oliverbriant1211]

This accident is what caused the creation of ARB (Anti Roll Back) systems on modern roller coasters. Its that famous clanking sound when it climbs the lift hill. A piece called a dog drops in between two teeth like piece which (if the chair snaps) hold the coaster train in place. Rides are getting safer and safe but the media don't share that, they are quick to slander but not quick to praise.

[@gregbooth9680]

Actually the anti roll-back system was invented in 1910 by John Miller - The Big Dipper at Blackpool has it and that was built in 1923.

[@cerneuffington2656]

This ride had a brakeman on board. I believe there was an emergency brake lever to stop rollbacks, but the brake system was little more than a metal spike, gripping a plank of wood. The spike failed to grip and just shredded the wood as the cars plummeted. The ride was ramshackle, to say the least.

[@cliffcook3993]

I am not from London or Battersea but I remember this accident

[@sergelondon916]

Very sad

[@simonclord7697]

An ex boyfriend of my mother's who must have been a South Londoner mentioned this. His name was John Butland. I cant remember if he said it was his girlfriend at the time, or wife to be, he or both of them were injured in this crash. It was something that always piqued my interest as I too, like many others had not seen this tragic story covered. It's like it never existed and that in itself is tragic and abhorrent in terms of remembrance for those whose lives were affected.

[@ccityplanner1217]

So THIS is why London doesn't have a permanent funfair. All of the cool cities have one: the Wiener Prater, Coney Island, the Stockholm Deer Garden, Tivoli in Copenhagen, Tibidabo in Barcelona, even Belle Vue in Manchester back when that city was cool, so why not London?

[@ccityplanner1217]

@MIGHTY MQB : I cringe regularly at our complete lack of creativity on that issue. Medieval cities had "hospitals", places where anyone could stay for the night, for free, no questions asked. We ogle the Victorian workhouse for its stricture, while forgetting that we haven't exactly got a better replacement ourselves.

[@sldecors1505]

There’s lots of travelling funfairs about in London though, there is a good semi permanent funfair up at Brent Cross, run by mannings

[@LL-ip5mm]

Never knew this happened it’s so sad

[@johnp8131]

Used to go every other year, on my birthday with my Dad, as a kid from '67 onwards. Loved it but I understood why he wouldn't go after this? Think I went back twice, once around '73/'74 to what was left of the Fun Fair and a few years later to look at the empty park before a concert at Earls Court.

[@beardedloon77]

This is not forgotten, the people that grew up in that area and had parents that rode the fair rides in battersea Park remember it. I personally worked at battersea Park as a groundskeeper an there are parts of the ride in the compound that aren't moved because a lot of the men that i used to work with were working at the park when this happened one even worked as a ride operator.. Just because London appears to be a soulless relic of a once proud city, there are still proud citizens of that city left.

[@djrichylaurence8991]

They should at least have a plaque in memory of those who died.

[@markymark-r]

So sad and tragic. Needs a memorial.

[@ShizukaOG]

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

[@NefBZA0999]

NO MEMORIAL..!!! Just brushed under the carpet.. injustice is nothing new..

[@mariamartin9235]

Why was no one held responsible? I cannot believe there is no memorial

[@purplesunflower8242]

Collins big dipper if l remember least they could do . The Collins people place a memorial for those who lost their lifes

[@ruiner1007]

For anyone scared of rollercoasters because of this, this was the latest rollercoaster crash to this day in the world

[@70AD-user45]

There was the Smiler, Alton Towers, accident in 2015. All survived, but 2 people had limbs removed.

[@FoxyLad]

Terrible no one has been held accountable for the loss of 5 innocent children losing their lives our government should be ashamed and the council too you have just brushed it underneath the carpet…

[@nimmichagger165]

Some pretty big bungs were handed around..

[@RG-jj7yz]

I grew up near there, Wandsworth and don't remember this.. Or not told. I DO remember seeing the remnants of the exhibition fair (from 1951?) and saw a 'harem' woman in a hammock being pelted with coconuts, even at 6 I thought there's something wrong with that.. Even remember it was a purple outfit. Also remember the 'atomic' 1950's red, yellow, blue, ball decorations.

[@cerneuffington2656]

KZbin: Fun Fair At Night (1969). Tip the lady out of bed ♥

[@bradley5819]

Poor design 2nd backup should be that it can still handle going backwards

[@paulchance3766]

All of my memories of Battersea Park only arrive after the fairground closed and wasn't even aware of its existence till some years later..

[@louisjardine]

A heavy price to pay for the owners 5 innocent kids being killed on a fun day out on a rollercoaster with their friends because there was so such thing as health and safety in the 1970s there would have been no regulation checks no secure seatbelts or handle rails no emergency stop button nowhere to be seen disgraceful glad I didn’t grow up in those times

[@michaeljones1886]

I’m sure I’ve read it was bought in as an old battered ride and smartened up with paint…there’s another video on here showing people on fast rides not a seatbelt in sight By god times have changed for the better…

[@stephen8797]

on my birthday

[@bradley5819]

If it had under wheels it would not have come off

[@alecjefferson6993]

Under the carpet someone was to blame need’s looking into 🇬🇧

[@ccityplanner1217]

Elisha Otis's brake would've solved this, easily.

[@azi_yt]

there's a version present on almost all modern roller coasters called an anti-rollback. The clicking you hear when a roller coaster train goes up a lift hill is caused by the ARB locking into place repeatedly

[@Pr1ckles]

Fascinating Horror? Where are you? Didn't you cover this?

[@BMike66]

Why bring it up then ffs

[@msingh2333]

Well done met police

[@jjr1728]

Where's all the diversity of the times were told was ever present?

[@coconutsmarties]

It must be hiding in the same location as your missing intelligence

[@jjr1728]

@@coconutsmarties traitor

[@coconutsmarties]

@@jjr1728 A traitor to who or what..?! Sorry, I didn't realise that we were in a war and that I'd apparently picked a side 🙄

[@vijayazupindiaasiaworlduni4360]

Everything is God's Leela in India

[@stevecox7075]

😂😅😂😅😂😅

[@charlieminaj2]

prepanned event