The Space Invader Disaster | The Tragic Death of Christopher Sherratt

In July of 2000 a day trip to Blackpool pleasure beach with friends turned into a gruesome nightmare for Christopher Sherratt as he managed to slip out of his car half way through riding one of the parks most popular attractions, the Space Invader. To add to the horror, the ride in question was submerged in darkness which made it near impossible to tell exactly what was going on. This is the infamous story of the Space Invader Disaster.
All Footage is royalty free is from:
- www.pexels.com​​
- www.videezy.com
- Motion Array​​
Music
- www.bensound.c...
www.bensound.c...
Music I use: Bensound
License code: VTR0ZU8FV710MIW0
Music by: www.bensound.c...
License code: YZRA8CIQBF0U9UGE
DISCLAIMER:
These videos are made for educational purposes only and are compiled using online sources of which I have credited in this videos description.
All background music, images, graphics and videos used in this video belong to their respective owners and neither I or this channel claims any right over them. No copyright infringement is intended.
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
#ScaryStories #Horror #History #TrueStories #caving
Send me stories you want covered :) - [e-mail]
Source:
• Blackpool Pleasure Bea...
• 🇬🇧 BLACKPOOL Drone Foo...
www.thefreelib...
www.independen...
news.bbc.co.uk/...
www.lancashire...
www.theboltonn...
www.theguardia...
If you are the copyright holder or you are authorised to speak on behalf of the owner of any clips/photos in this video and you take issue with its use, please contact me and I will respond. Thanks

[@kellie5476]

I live in Leeds and have gone to Blackpool every year of my life since I could walk. I vividly remember this incident, Christopher was the same age as me, such a sad loss of life.

[@worstxb1playertylerteehc635]

Poor you.

[@davepowell7168]

@@worstxb1playertylerteehc635 🤣

[@Aribbonofsoundmen]

Surprised a girl cares about a boys well-being, tbh

[@crzybrit8150]

Well these are some weird replies 😕

[@charlottestreet3301]

@@Aribbonofsoundmen why are you surprised that a girl cares a boys well being

[@shannonsherratt1360]

Me and my family were told about this video today. Thank you for being respectful as many people try to put the blame somewhere. This is one story that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I didn't realise how well know the accident was. Thank you to everyone, I'm sure he's having a good time up there

[@angieemm]

Love to your family.

[@shannonsherratt1360]

@@angieemm thank you

[@mayniac23]

my sincere condolences and love to you all!

[@ThorneinSide]

I’m so sorry for your loss. Hope your well.

[@villagebound61]

🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🌺🌺🌺🌺

[@ohitsolly677]

I went on this ride when I was 11, felt my whole upper body lift, and I grabbed hold of my brother because I felt like I was falling out, when I reported it to the young operator he simply said it was due to my weight 😢 RIP Christopher

[@RichterBelmont2235]

Such a gross negligence.

[@jamangel]

Wow

[@SpringTrap-4ever]

Me and my sister got on this ride called the Zipper (you'll have to look it up because it's kind of hard to describe it) at the Sanilac County Fair in Sandusky, Michigan, USA. The ride swings back and forth as it goes around and when me and my sister got in the cage and sat down they put the safety bar down and made it so that it was too tight for my sister but it wasn't tight enough for me so every time the cage would flip I would get thrown up against the bar and the back of the seat. I actually had some pretty bad bruising on my back and stomach for a couple weeks afterwards. When my sister and I got to the top of the ride our cage door which was facing towards the ground flew open. The only thing that really saved me from plummeting 25 ft was that my sister had leaned over and grabbed the back of my shirt and stopped me from slipping under the bar. I remember that when she grabbed me we both leaned forward to grab the door and we had to attempt to hold it closed as the ride was flipping back and forth for almost 10 minutes. I know that doesn't sound very long but when you're panicking 10 minutes can be 10 hours. When my sister and I got off the ride we told the operator what happened and all he said was"Ehh. We'll fix it when we get a minute" and I remember just staring at him in shock you know thinking that if it wasn't for my sister I would have died because of that ride. When my sister and I were walking away from the ride I remember turning around and seeing that operator let two more people get in that same cage and all I could think was "Those poor souls...". Thankfully nobody died but I haven't got on that ride since then. I was 13 at the time and I'm 21 now I know it seems stupid to still be afraid of it. I don't expect anybody to understand the fear and pain that I went through and the fear that I still have for that ride unless if they have been in a similar situation. Maybe I'll get over it or maybe I won't...

[@rosiecheeks.k]

​​@@SpringTrap-4ever 😳😳🤯 omg how horrifically traumatic! I am so, so, sorry. It is not stupid you most likely have PTSD and with good reason! Have you thought about therapy for it?🌻

[@QuEeNyB222ny]

I know that exact feeling. My sister and I went on a roller coaster that only had a seatbelt and a lap bar that didn’t even go down to our laps. As soon as we hit the first drop me and her both lifted out of our seats. We grabbed on to each other and the bar. We essentially wrapped ourselves around the bar to keep from flying out. And we had asked the operator before the ride, if we were secure enough, and they said yes. I’m glad we both managed to hold on.

[@enslaved1]

That last line made me cry. You don't often see narrators so compassionate toward victims and their families, usually only give facts and generic "so tragic" statements.

[@DisasterthonTrueHorror]

❤️❤️❤️❤️‍🩹

[@roxannepearls901]

Yes, what you said in your last line about the family has me in tears too. Thank you for your compassion.

[@furygeist]

RIP Christopher. I sincerely hope that he was not concious for his last moments so he did not pass in fear and pain. I'm glad this prompted changes to the ride that added more safety features, but is a heartbreaking accident.

[@kattriella1331]

It's sad that it usually takes horrific accidents to get major changes made . . . This tragedy probably ended up saving the lives of lots of people in the long run, it's just sad it has to happen at all, and it's little consolation for the heartbroken family . . .

[@Ett.Gammalt.Bergtroll]

Such an impact to the head would’ve knocked him out, if not killed him, pretty much instantly I think. A small blessing.

[@dxcpt]

What angers me, that the same sort of incident happened to my friends brother back in the mid 90's, the ride should have been shut down back then. My uncle was an architect, he was offered to manage the park ( I think it was management) And he refused, because of the lack of safety.

[@captaincat1743]

I have been in some serious accidents in my past. The only emotions that happen Immediately are a split second of surprise and confusion, and with a knock-out you are quickly into a dream world. I think Christopher would not have had time to experience pain or fear. Ithink he went from happy and excited, to surprise, maybe a second of confusion, then to Dreams, then to being a free soul surrounded by love. Christopher pleasure take care of my cat Buster until I get there. Peace & love to you and your familiy

[@chrisakaschulbus4903]

Uhm... "your" last moment is your last perception. And in a shock situation your brain can slow down time. Learned that by dodging an unexpected fußball as a kid. A short moment can seem endless... it's harsh, but staying realistic often is.

[@keyboardwarrior3702]

It's at least refreshing to have a straight up apology from the theme park. Usually there's a lot of publicity BS like "We take the utmost care to maintain our equipment... unforeseeable events... blah blah"

[@Thephillips-dj1po]

Yeah, my jaw dropped because *"Wait! A person in a Corporation actually having some human decency?!"*

[@TheTownNarcoleptic]

Pretty sure it’s because the Pleasure Beach isn’t run by a massive, all-powerful corporate entity, and enough people will have heard of the incident for them to have been unable to cover it up or sweep it under the rug after a bit.

[@whitedragoness23]

I can’t believe some issue statements such as the person knew the risks before going on the ride. It makes it seem like they are saying it’s your fault the the ride somehow malfunctioned. People go on rides to get a rush or to be scared but don’t expect to actually die.

[@CieraMychele]

Reminds me of space mountain at Disneyland. You ride around in the dark, it is very very disorienting. I can't imagine the horror of falling out of a roller coaster in general, but to fall out when you can't even see what's up and what's down, that poor baby

[@JennbunVA]

Yeah... It's scary because in normal rides you can at least see what you have to work with and maybe turn yourself to be able to fall in a way where there won't be any fatal damaged but in Dark Rides like that you can't tell where you are or what's going on... I do remember one time my family pressured me into going on Space Mountain in Disneyland and after the ride was over the all excitedly ran off while I had 2 employees escort me to a private bathroom to empty my stomach and get my head straight. Never going on that ride ever again

[@virginiaconnor8350]

I've even to the Space Mt. at Disney World in '14. Are they the same ride? I can't imagine falling out of a ride. Fortunately, I 'm pretty much retired from riding amusement rides at 67. No problems, just that I've had my fun over the years, prices have gone up too much at 6 Flags Over Ga., and waiting an hour for a 3 minute ride just isn't fun anymore in the hot, muggy, buggy heat here.

[@madanger7993]

@@virginiaconnor8350 I went to Sea World San Diego Monday and had an unbelievable time. I watch too much KZbin, so rode the rollercoasters scared out of my wits. But no lines at all, and the park had some crazy cool rides!!! I'm old too, but was pleasantly surprised at the park this week.

[@worstxb1playertylerteehc635]

if you ever in the dark and disorientated and need to know your ups or downs. Spit.

[@LindysEpiphany]

I thought space mountain was going to break my neck! It was horrible! I'm surprised that the ride is deemed safe and that more people aren't injured.

[@thehappysimpleton]

"If Christopher's family does end up finding this video, I hope you are doing better these days."

[@Slackmana]

Compassion/humanity would look like buddy reaching out to the family, and asking their permission / offering them any monetary gain.

[@deboralee1623]

read your post just before i got to that part of the video.

[@actuallyapomergranate]

his family has commented on this video! they are very appreciative for this video

[@Slackmana]

@@actuallyapomergranate why did you lie?

[@tiffanieoverby7803]

@@Slackmana it’s not a lie the comment is like two above this one

[@sophiaisabelle01]

Christopher Sherratt was just a young boy. It’s just devastating to hear that this awful incident cost him his own life. I hope his family, friends, and relatives have all come together to heal and move forward with their lives. He deserved to live longer, but unfortunately, it was already taken away from him.

[@chrisakaschulbus4903]

"Christopher Sherratt was just a young boy." Innocent and his death was "untimely". You hear this description in every disaster video though.

[@Izziehannah]

@@chrisakaschulbus4903 yeah but it’s true it was very devastating

[@rationalbacon5872]

So sad. The stories with children harmed are always the most heart wrenching. RIP Christopher. 🙏

[@isabellind1292]

It's just the most horrible tragedy. We can all remember how much fun it was to go on amusement rides as kids. It's so upsetting. RIP Christopher, sweet, little boy.❤🌹

[@hdhrdfsrkgh]

rational bacon 😂😂😂😂 you can't be serious with that name

[@isabellind1292]

@@hdhrdfsrkgh Probably "Francis".🥓😊

[@hdhrdfsrkgh]

@@isabellind1292 that's better

[@isabellind1292]

@@hdhrdfsrkgh Lol! I love your name!😊😊🌺

[@NightimeInDeepSpace]

It's always so eerie when a kid dies, you think of all the things they missed like games and movies, that the rest of us enjoyed, and you wonder what age they'd be now with a family of their own

[@WxIxLxLxIxAxMxS]

"and you wonder what age they'd be now"? No honey. If you look up their birthdate, you can tell what age that person would be now.

[@maggiesanford8324]

Not everyone has or wants kids. This tired straight culture mindset still being so dominant in our society is the reason why our planet is failing.

[@AbbysArchive]

You should do a video of the Hartford Circus Fire (1944.) My grandfather and his family were attending when he was a kid and they barely escaped with their lives. To avoid the stampede, my great grandfather led his family up the bleachers where they jumped onto the ground (he actually had to push my great grandma.) They only escaped because they followed a man with a pocketknife, who cut a hole in the canvas so they could all escape. My grandfather couldn’t bring himself to step foot in another circus tent-he tried to bring my dad to one decades later, but he panicked and they left before the show even started

[@AbbysArchive]

Anyway, it’s an interesting case because they don’t completely know who or what started the fire. One of the victims (a child) was also never identified and is known as “Little Miss 1565”

[@Pfisiar22]

@@AbbysArchive her body was eventually identified in 1991. Eleanor Emily Cook. Her brother was also killed in the fire.

[@jalos9328]

@ Assassin Ninja Yes, I remember reading about this some years ago... Little Miss 1565.that absolutely gutted me and I am a pretty hardened fella. I thought to myself 'Why ?'. Poor little soul. In God's Love anyway , since then and always. Same for this young boy. It is doubtful they suffered because the body has ways of self-protection..it would have seemed dream-like to them (I can vouch for that myself during my own accidents)

[@caronstout354]

​@@AbbysArchiveA documentary years ago revealed the cause of the fire to be the paraffin coating of the circus tent canvas catching on fire due to a lit cigarette butt.

[@TheTurkaderr]

From all the people over the years who have said they felt like they were falling out of it themselves, it sounds like this poor boy literally slipped out of the restraints because he was slim. He may have been tall enough to ride but his body was too small for the restraints to securely hold him. This would have surely been the ride operators error and they clearly did not secure him properly. I can’t imagine why the child would have just suddenly tried to get out of his seat. He had no mental issues, he wasn’t an excitable child and it didn’t seem to his family like the ride was scaring him. He had to have slipped out at a turn or g-force moment. I’m very surprised this was not discovered. Probably covered up with hush money

[@grylltheonion]

This is why I always hold on to something even when there are safety measures.

[@samd7885]

There was a trend of surfing by local kids where they stand on the back bumper, I was working this day and saw all. 😢

[@mauricedavis2160]

I just have to say Sir, thank you for caring about each and every victim, family and loved ones in each of your videos!!!🙏❣️

[@gleadhill79]

Can I just say a massive THANK YOU to this channel for drawing attention to the people who lost their lives and why. So tragic and so many lives lost. 😥

[@flipnap2112]

I went on space mountain and didn't like the feeling of riding in the dark. when you cant see whats coming, the banks and turns are unsettling. perhaps he panicked and when we panic we do very strange things. I also remember going on a large water slide tube, that twisted around another slide like a braided pretzel. You were instructed to go through sitting up, to slow the descent. my friend dared me to run and dive in so I did. I thought I would die because I suddenly felt like I was in a violent washing machine and couldn't catch my breathe. every time I went for air, large volumes of water were in my face. I panicked like I never did before in my life and its a horrible feeling. I feel so bad that this happened to Christopher and im sure he didnt suffer. Life is strange, cherish the time you have with your loved ones because nobody promises us tomorrow. be good to each other my friends

[@peacefuldaizy5717]

I agree with you. You can look up riding Space Mountain with the lights on KZbin. It's really a nothing burger, but it's terrifying with the lights out.

[@isabellind1292]

A child who goes to have fun at an amusement park and loses his life is absolutely heartbreaking.🌹❤

[@kspen6110]

This ride sounds like Space Mountain at Disney World. I went on it in my younger days and loved it. In some places you could see the rails above your head and think your going to hit it but then the rail you're on suddenly drops. That last time I went on it was about 25-30 years ago. It was too rough for my aging body. My deepest condolences to Christopher's family and friends. I can't imagine being the friend who saw him fall out. Or the people in the cart that hit him. Such a cute little boy.

[@isabellind1292]

Well, that is just cruel to subject riders to think they could slam their head! What's the damn point? It's just the most devastating tragedy when children are killed for doing something as innocent as going on an amusement ride, it's just HORRIBLE! Wasn't his photo so adorable. RIP Christopher.💓

[@mommy2libras]

It does sound a lot like Space Mountain. You're right about it being rough though. I remember going as a kid and .oving it and then we took my own children to Disney and Universal a few years ago and the ride is much rougher than I remember, more jerky and jolting. Especially when compared to newer coasters, most which have a much smoother ride that doesn't send jolts up your already aching spine from spending several days walking around theme parks and waiting in lines, lol

[@CakeorDeath1989]

@@isabellind1292 it's called a "head chopper." I didn't name it, that's not me trying to be funny, that's literally what they call that element - when there's track or structure above you and you think you're going to hit your head on the way past. It's surprisingly a common enough element in roller coasters that there's a name for it.

[@isabellind1292]

@@CakeorDeath1989 Wow well, thanks for the heads up! It's one thing for riders to experience the thrill of a ride but to throw in fake obstacles to make you think you could bust open your head in the process is just sadistic to me!😮"Hee hee, we're going to make you think you're about to crack open your head even though the worst you thought could happen is you plunge to your death, hee hee"!😉

[@CakeorDeath1989]

@@isabellind1292 "thanks for the heads up" Haha, I see what you did there. 😆

[@martinK7038]

May I first begin by saying R.I.P Christopher Sherratt your memory lives on in the hearts and minds of all those that knew you and loved you your lasting legacy is that you contributed to bringing about awareness and improved safety standards for everyone on rides such as this........... THANKYOU C.S I only ever went on the Space Invader ride once when I was 15, I remember all the marketing hype and the long queues that Summer back in 1984 I was really looking forward to going on this ride at the time it cost 1 A ticket and 1 B ticket which was literally unheard of for a ride on Blackpool Pleasure Beach after finally going on the ride I remember exiting and thinking well that was a load of rubbish and certainly not worth an A and B ticket whenever my friends would ask me what was it like I would say it was just a Roller Coaster in the dark and not a very good one either, my favourite rides on Blackpool Pleasure Beach were 1, The Grand National Rollercoaster 2, The Big Dipper Rollercoaster 3, Wild Mouse mini Rollercoaster ride Next time I go through Blackpool Pleasure Beach I will stop outside where the Space Invader ride used to be and reflect and say a prayer in memory of Christopher Sherratt and for his family, may he rest in peace

[@msstarlight4770]

It sounds like he was leaning out of the car to look at something. Such a sad accident.

[@MissHannah2036]

I'm thinking the poor little boy was probably having a panic attack should have been accompanied by an adult.

[@msstarlight4770]

@@MissHannah2036 I think children should have an adult with them, too.

[@jimmyormerod4075]

they do there now i live 40 minutes away from it

[@jamangel]

Aww

[@G-Star-Raw]

Its pitch black!

[@jenniferferguson4373]

Poor kiddo. Praying for him and his family. He’s so adorable.

[@astonishingpatchedits]

I agree. I hope Christopher’s family are doing better today and living their best lives whilst also keeping Christopher’s memory alive in as many ways as possible. RIP Chris. You never deserved this. God bless you and your family. ❤

[@loisarends3968]

I love the format of your videos a lot! Fast, clear, but most of all very respectful. Thank you for that. It's important to always remember that every case like this involved a beloved individual's life.

[@dullanimations4397]

he looked like a sweet kid. hope the family is alright

[@Immortal-Headcase]

I first started work at the Pleasure beach at the beginning of 2001, I was a ride operator on the Space Invader for around 2 years after, and it was where I was working when 9/11 happened. Anyway, I'd just started there at the beginning of 2001 and got chatty with the staff about it as they were the ones running it at the time, and this is what I was told, this is hearsay so I don't know if it was 100% true. There was a turnstile at the top of the stairs inside and the cars were lined up in the tiny station, customers were lead to the cars, sat in the seats and the seatbelts were fastened and the main ride operator had to "launch" the cars in a series of 1, 2 and 3, you couldn't launch car 1 until car 3 hit the return sensor at the station return while car 2 is doing it's thing through the ride, the console showed the car progress as a series of lights and a primitive wall display that said sectors 1, 2 and 3 to reprisent the inside of the ride itself . Anyhow the ride is a gravity ride with several booster points mid ride to give it a little oomph during so it wouldn't stall the whole ride to stop any mid ride car collision, so the car with the poor lad in it, car 2, was sat in the station waiting to launch while car 3 rolled into the disembarkation point of the station while car 1 was shooting around inside the ride, when car 3 was emptied then shuttled to the entrance to load people, car 2 with the kids on was launched, now to first launch the car, like any roller coaster you're pulled up steep incline to be dropped over a large dip and it was damn slow fully enclosed and pitch black, somehow during the pull up, the lad wriggled out of his seatbelt and stood up for a laugh and on the first drop, that's where the bar was, and to be honest, if the poor kid wouldn't have hit the bar, the first turn would have thrown him out at horrific speed because they were so sharp and tilted at an angle, there's a reason ride operators tell you to keep your hands and legs inside the ride at all times. When I started there they'd replaced the belts with pull down harnesses which beat the everloving shit out of your ears mid ride, jesus it hurt.

[@kekwelrisitas2931]

This almost happend to me when i was little in warner brother movie world in germany. I was riding the lethal weapon rollercoaster with my dad but i was pretty slim and small. Halfway i started to slip out of the seat and my dad saw me hold on the restraints and pushed me back in the seat with all his power for the rest of the ride. Even its more that 20 years ago i can still remember every moment like it happend yesterday.

[@KellJell]

Oh why do I watch these?!?! 😪😂 Because youre very good at telling these sorts of tragic events with objective, well researched content and compassion and dignity towards those impacted by them. But they still make me sad. Especially when they're so little.

[@andrewcowin3055]

Around 1988/89 I went on this ride at 10 or 11 years old. I was far too small and just about held on without getting thrown out (my waist came above the bar). I've never been on a ride since that day.

[@juliagreen423]

A true tragedy is one that occurs for no reason, without anyone to blame, like this one. One can never achieve closure

[@stevenmacdonald9619]

Please read my full post. I may have given another angle.

[@whofandb]

It's disgusting for the Health and Safety guy to blame an 11 year old kid. Obviously the restraint system was not enough to hold him in place. The witness said the seatbelt was not unbuckled so somehow Christopher slipped out of it. This is a design flaw.

[@dontneednoname2072]

and yet half a million people every year including children rode it without dying for 16 years before this.

[@bigboomer1013]

@@dontneednoname2072 I mean, yeah. Those kids followed the rules. But those safety equipments are ment to prevent anyone from attempting to break those rules. They are supposed to keep them seated and make sure they stay there. It's kinda like baby proofing a shelf. Sure there are kids who are smart enough to not stand on it or play on it or even thought about doing it. Or maybe even got lucky and not had an accident. But there are cases where a kid could get rowdy and break rules and have a shelf fall on them. It's also the same thing with fridges. Back then, the handle works kinda like a lock. So it can only be opend from the outside. Kids could make a mistake and get inside and lock themselves in and die. That's why fridges from today don't jave that feature any more and can be opend from both the inside and out. The same reason why they can acedently open when the fridge is full.

[@bobbya9722]

@@dontneednoname2072 That happens with most ride disasters. There usually isn't an incident before the one that kills someone happens

[@JustKelso1993]

@@bigboomer1013 So teach your kids to not be idiots and to follow the rules.

[@markrichards636]

@@dontneednoname2072 And?

[@KickAssets]

There was a ride at the PNE in Vancouver called the Rainbow that went up and down but in a circle. I was a skinny small child. My sister made me get on. And even though there were bars to hold us in...I was able to fit through them. I almost fell out many times and I was screaming and holding on for dear life and my sister had to put her hand on my chest to help me, but even then the pressure of the ride almost overpowered us. Never again!

[@marlenedouglas7957]

I think kids need an adult with them. Knowing what I know now I wouldn't allow a kid to go on his own they panic and do stupid stuff

[@janmcguire5268]

Thank you for the respectful way you handle these sad stories.

[@thepvporg]

Unfortunately, kids will ignore ride rules, the many trips I had to Alton towers with my school, witnessed many other children attempting stupid things to the dismay of the ride operators, one ride was stopped and security removed a child from the ride because they wouldn't stop messing around... Some kids understand why the rules are there, others know the rules but like many that decide to ignore the rules, like no standing for example, they are the ones that pay the price.

[@trj1442]

Excellent episode. A suggestion is the Luna Park Ghost Train Disaster in Sydney Australia in 1979. I was a small boy actually at the Park that day. Another one from Australia is the DreamWorld disaster on the Gold Coast in 2016.

[@notthesame8991]

Yes! I second this. It's an absolute horror story

[@ashbashas]

My nephew and I went on a ride at some carnival in Mexico. It was so unsafe. We went inside this ride, and you could not see in the rode or out once it started spinning really fast. I was 11 years old, and my nephew was 7. We were the only ones on the ride, and at first, it was fine, but the belts loosened for both of us while It spimned around really fast. At first, I tried to help him by holding him down, but I too was not restrained anymore and had to hold onto the bars, or I would be flung all over this ride. I told him whatever you do, don't let go. We can get through this ride. It was the longest ride of my life. It was so hard to hold on while yelling over the noise telling my nephew do mot let go or you will die. I don't even know how to explain how bad it was. We were on this ride just holding on and we made it through. We were done with rides after this and tried to tell my mom, but she didn't understand the extent of how dangerous it was. We would have been clunked around constantly if we let go and would have suffered so many injuries and die.

[@curlyuk6034]

I’ve been on this ride and was also born 89. I remember hearing a little boy died on the big one, not longer after spending the day with my mum and dad so the memory is so clear. Christopher is the reason I’ve never been back to the pleasure beach since. X I’m from the NW of UK. Your accent sounds very familiar and local to me! Great channel ❤

[@darkestgray0]

Been binging your videos over the last 24 hours. Thank you for creating such high quality content while equally narrating with so much respect towards victims and their families. Keep up the good work. You're awesome.

[@TheFoxFromSplashMountain]

This happened just 2 days before I was born. It's always tragic when a life is lost, especially one so young. But in a way, at least these incidents help us learn from our mistakes so that we can take stricter safety precautions to prevent any further tragedies from happening in the future.

[@stevenmacdonald9619]

Not all restraints are for safety. Some are to stop you fooling around on a ride, but yes, only time and experience taught these lessons.

[@mariekatherine5238]

RIP, little Christopher. 😇 You’ll never get me on any extreme amusement park ride, not even as a child. I won’t go on anything that goes upside down, spins while doing other movements. The most daring ride I’ve been on is the Cyclone at Coney Island, once, and that’s because I’m originally from Brooklyn! I stick to the Ferris wheel, carousel, maybe the swings if they don’t move too fast. At the water park, I go directly to the Lazy River and stay there until my companions return.

[@BoxOKittens]

Don't go researching incidents that have happened on any of the rides you mentioned lol or you'll be stuck sitting in the parking lot going on nothing waiting for your companions.

[@ThePhantomSafetyPin]

The most likely explanation: Christopher was too small for the restraints, or otherwise slipped out because the restraint was not properly adjusted for his size. Unfortunately, this is a common issue for Wild Mouse/Crazy Mouse type coasters like this one, especially older ones, because they use lap bars or simple seatbelts and the forces can sometimes throw people into the inside of the car when it hits one of the unbanked turns. The type of ride this is, sounds like a typical indoor dark coaster, similar to something like Hersheypark's LaffTrak or Six Flags Great America's Dark Knight Coaster. These rides usually sit two by two, for a total of four riders, and some like LaffTrak spin. Outdoor versions of this type of ride are commonly called Wild Mouse or Crazy Mouse coasters because they are compact coasters often themed after mice skittering around; they are common because of their small footprint, high thrills for cheap cost, and their unique track elements like unbanked turns. Unfortunately due to this and because small riders cannot always be secured by simple lap bars alone, it's likely poor Christopher just was too small and slipped out. It's tragic and rare, but it can unfortunately happen. To explain that last bit: Unbanked turns are why you feel like you're going to fall out on rides like these, banking a turn makes the turn feel smoother and reduces forces on the ride itself. It's why all bigger coasters like say, Shivering Timbers or Magnum XL-200 have them, both for rider comfort and structural safety. Very large coasters, like Millennium Force or Candymonium, often have overbanked turns because these rides exert such force on the ride structure and riders, the ride would shake itself apart if they weren't overbanked. It keeps the forces from being too great on the riders too; humans can only handle so much force.

[@BlueSkyBirdies]

OHHHH so THAT explains why I felt like I was gonna be chucked off a Wild Mouse coaster at some park or other when i was younger. I'm the smallest in my family and it didn't help that the largest member (my dad) was seated next to me with me on the outside so at every curve he almost pushed me out of the cart I was pissed! My first real rollercoaster ride, and they convinced me to try it with the idea that it was a "mild" ride (even though I'm pretty sure the park advertised it correctly as somewhat rough). There was a Wild Cat coaster as well and we picked the Wild Mouse thinking the naming conventions indicated it would be less intense. I have never liked rollercoasters, and legitimately believing I would get flung off left me too terrified to enjoy the experience, all while my dad was laughing and whooping it up the whole time while unwittingly crushing and shoving me closer to being flung off, so yeah I've never gone on one since. Thanks Dad.

[@Mxgvn_]

Like many others, I've been a regular visitor to Blackpool ever since I was a child. I would go there for around 4 days every year, with my family (including last year). We've been to BP Pleasure Beach a few times too, and my dad has gone on most of the rides like 'The Big One'. I've always been terrified of big rollercoasters and such so have never ventured far in the world of Theme Parks, outside of arcades and smaller rides. It always hits harder when it's a place so close to your heart, only around an hour from where you live. I hope the boy is resting peacefully now, it's such a horrific way to go.

[@LCM393]

I've lived in Blackpool my whole life and grew up on a street that's a 10 minute walk away from the pleasure beach. Growing up we all thought the story of someone dying on the space invader ride was a myth to scare kids into not doing anything stupid on the rides. I remember my mind being blown when I found out it's actually true. The story we all heard as kids was that he got out of the car on the space invader ride and tried to ride the car like a surfboard (which was apparently a new trend with kids on rides) and the oncoming car decapitated him. No idea if that part's actually true.

[@zarszars4063]

Im from Blackburn and we heard the same story as kids only that he stood up not the surfing part

[@TimeBunny]

I’m from Portsmouth and heard a similar version - that the kid stood up/was messing about and got decapitated.

[@naarahjanemorris3121]

RIP young man it's so sad that this happened to you, my 🙏s go out to his family and friends.

[@ShadowBunnyification]

Very sad. It's always especially tragic when accidents happen at amusement parks. People are there to have fun and then it ends up being the worst (or last) day of their life. Suggestion for a future video- the accident at Dreamworld, Australia on the Thunder River Rapids ride. Four people died, it was horrific especially because it was considered one of the 'safe' rides that people took their kids on. I rode it many times and I still get the shudders thinking about it now.

[@YeahNo]

Check out Fascinating Horror. They covered it.

[@Judymotto742]

My heart hurts for Christopher family 💔

[@bluerosegirl7471]

Thank you for being so respectful to the victims and their families. ❤

[@hannahdavies2926]

thanks for uploading this ! i live in blackpool and hear about this all the time at blackpool pleasure beach :( rip

[@zombiesalmon4997]

Blackpool is one of my favourite holiday locations so this is very interesting. Cool that you accidents from lesser known parks. Etc.

[@stevenrobertson4603]

I was there that day and went on the ride the very turn before this poor lad got on. I remember going round to the entrance a few minutes later and saw it had been closed. Awful. R.I.P Young man.

[@fone9665]

Oh, bless his heart ♥ I'm English, so have obviously been to Blackpool loads of times, I think this was when we were living in Wales, though. No, if it was in 1990, we were, and still are in Stratford-upon-Avon, yet I had never heard of this case. We never took our 3 boys there, but have been on much dodgier ones abroad R.I.P Little man, you are safe, wherever your Heaven is, and your family and friends will join you before you know it 🎈❣️🎈

[@dricka49221]

I have recently seen numerous videos of this type where deaths have occurred at fairs, theme and/or amusement parks. I don't know if there is an increase in these accidents or if they are just being shown by video more. My heart goes out to the parents of this boy. I can only hope that he was having the time of his life and did not suffer long.

[@DisasterthonTrueHorror]

I would probably say people are bringing them to attention more, it’s actually very safe to ride a roller coaster and other rides

[@dricka49221]

That really was along the lines that I was thinking, as with the new age and technologies we are able to broadcast so much more information. I know I have always known there were risks, but felt moderately safe on the rides.

[@dazediss6629]

I live in the northwest and Blackpool is my local park, the only thing I remember being really shocked and annoyed about is the fact that they just nailed a giant number “2” after the space invader sign; called it “space invader 2”, and reopened it after all the legal proceedings. I get that they’re trying to distance themselves from what happened but it was definitely done by a CEO who is probably 99% company man and only 1% compassionate human being.

[@sqb_]

out of all the disasters you've reviewed, to me this is the most heartbreaking one

[@simonwillis4488]

I went to school with Christopher at revoe primary he was such a happy boy. 😊 😇🙏 still makes me cry thinking about him watching things like this but I have to thank you for posting this ❤️

[@jerseyf8985]

I had something along those lines happen to me at KK. For me I went into a building, waited in a line, got on. It was pitch black with flashes of lights. Next thing I remember I'm sliding out the side of the rollercoaster. There was NOTHING I could do but hold on for dear life. Especially since it wasn't long into the ride. How fast it was at that. I just remember trying to hold on tight with all my tiny strength. Thank gosh I was ALWAYS told I had a dea** grip but the worst part wasn't just that. It's being in the pitch black, neon flash lights or something flashy, everyone screaming in happiness, and I can still to this day hear peoples scream/laughter off the metal inside. In fact if I'm not mistaken it was this exact ride but elsewhere. I don't remember the name given ours is changed now to something else. I completely slid out and grabbed on for dear life. The worst part also is NO ONE could see me at all and if they could there was NOTHING anyone could do for me but watch. RIH Christopher and prayers to your family.

[@debbieschultz9768]

No child should die on a ride…it’s just wrong!!! RIP Christopher

[@MJARTBYDAY]

I think this ride was a copy of Space Mountain in Walt Disney World Florida as they too have 4 riders per car as shown on the exterior wall of the ride. When I rode that ride, I was 18-year-old, and it was the first roller coaster ride I had ever been on. At first the ride wouldn't set off as they were wondering why. One of the female attendants noticed that my seat blet wasn't on correctly and it was that what was delaying the ride to start. So, once she had corrected the belt (which was the only thing keeping you safe), it had set off and once we were properly going around the track around the corners I was lifting out of the ride as I was at the front. Let me say that if they hadn't of corrected my seat belt I would for sure of fell out of that ride. It was the scariest thing I had ever experienced. I think of it now all of the time and it's what I warn people about if they ever went on that Disney Space Mountain ride. Guys please be vigilant and make sure you are harnessed or buckled in properly on these rides, or you will be like this poor little angel. R.I.P. Christopher taken too soon on a ride what wasn't safe for you. At times I think smaller children should be checked to see if they are tall enough for the ride regardless of age. My heart goes out to his family. It would have been so horrible for them as you don't expect one of your children to go to a theme park alive but leave in a body bag. Disgraceful and obviously the most devastating time of his parents and family's life. I too hope you are doing better these days ... My deepest sympathies.

[@s.l.2458]

I like how you concentrate on the facts and important background information instead of filling the video with speculative, novel-type narratives about how they must have enjoyed the day and lined up for the ride and had so much fun and were nervous and excited and blah blah blah

[@mauricedavis2160]

Rest In Paradise Christopher!!!🙏😢❣️

[@dreg7305]

Love your videos man I do hope to one day get a longer format as I'm more inclined towards longer videos. But I love that you cover stuff that I've never heard of and you do so in a very respectful way with a voice that's perfect for the content. Thank you for giving me so many hours of entertainment I really do appreciate it! cheers

[@DisasterthonTrueHorror]

❤️

[@RepriseFan]

It sounds like Christopher was leaning over, panicking or doing something that put him in extreme danger. If this ride had a flaw or unsafe there would have been more incidents since 1984 but it's still sad and a tragedy.

[@cliodhnamalone7493]

or stood up? :(

[@silverstar1178]

that's not true many of these stories involve rides that malfunctioned despite otherwise not having a history of being flawed.

[@BoxOKittens]

Rides age and flaws become worse over time. Just because no previous injuries/deaths happened doesn't automatically mean the ride was perfect. Every flawed ride with injuries/deaths must begin with that first incident. This was the first for this ride, apparently, and thankfully they have taken measures to prevent further incidents instead of just ignoring it and acting like the child MUST have been 100% at fault.

[@cplcabs]

@@silverstar1178 I just can’t see how the ride was running for years without incident before and after this incident was faulty. I have heard somewhere that he was “surfing” which is basically standing on or at the back of the car. To that end, having the style of belt they had which may have allowed people to unbuckle the belt during the ride if they so wished would be the only real flaw.

[@cliodhnamalone7493]

@@BoxOKittens scary and sad

[@mookyoh5951]

My heart breaks with that mother. But this video is sending Christopher prayers so thank you for doing it . Peace from Rhode Island USA✌️

[@tehf00n]

I live in Blackpool and remember this well. There were two rides that always made me feel unsafe until I eventually refused to ride them. The Wild Mouse and The Space Invader. The safety record of most rollercoasters is impecable until something happens that shows a flaw. It's terrible that someone has to lose their life to rectify it.

[@alisonmcveigh3571]

Yes the wild mouse is horrendous. I went on it with my daughter who was about 11 at the time. We were both terrified. Everytime we went down a drop we lifted up from our seats. Also when the same daughter was a bit older, she went on one of those rides that flip you over on two arms and her over shoulder harness was loose and kept lifting up. She was in tears when she got off. (We had no idea this was happening btw - if we knew i would have got them to stop the ride. ) I didn't want her to go on it in the first place.

[@whitesapphire5865]

I remember the incident. I remember them actually building the ride. I went to BPPB regularly with my friends, and remember saying "We're going to have to give that one a go!". We never did, and it only needed one glimpse of the darkness for me to say "No way José" and I'm glad I did. I'd had a bad experience on the Corkscrew at Flamingoland, I never ever considered The Big One, and quite frankly, I found the Tokaido Express to be hairy enough. That thing was fast and furious enough for me. So whenever we visited Blackpool, I'd let everyone else go for the coaters, while I waited with my fish and chips to keep me company. I remember over the years, there were many serious accidents at theme parks, and they always seemed come in spates, and the bigger and more complex they became, the more dangerous they were. I can specifically remember one of those powered arm type of rides, with a huge gondola that could hold, maybe, a hundred souls at a time. As I watched, this behemoth of a machine took the passengers through several 360° rotations before stopping in the inverted position (with the gondola at the top of its travel), then it would rotate the other way and stop again, only this time, it stayed there. The gondola was upside down at the top of its travel, I'd say about 80 feet above ground level. The passengers began to panic as the machine juddered, and a hailstorm of pens, combs, cameras, cigarette cases and anything else that was loose in the owners' pockets. The machine was jammed in that position, and nothing was going to get it back down. I didn't wait around to see the end, but I heard in the news that the ride and its passengers were trapped in that position for over an hour, and some were in need of medical attention and were taken to hospital. I won't go on anything like that anymore. Quite frankly, my heart wouldn't survive the stress, and I don't fancy dieing for the sake of an expensive thrill. It's tragic enough when someone dies, and especially when it's someone so young, with all that unexplored potential. God bless the young lad and his family.

[@jaimearamirez1834]

REST IN PEACE! MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY! I JUST HAD A COUSIN WHO DIED YESTERDAY IN A CAR CRASH!

[@DisasterthonTrueHorror]

Sorry for your loss

[@lelia660]

I’m so sorry about your cousin.

[@shannonsherratt1360]

Sorry for your loss

[@jaimearamirez1834]

@@DisasterthonTrueHorror THANK YOU!

[@jaimearamirez1834]

@@lelia660 THANK YOU!

[@kerezymaii]

Ive ridden this ride many times at Brean. So sad. He looks like a kind and sweet kid 😢

[@sandraweilbrenner67]

Rest in peace dear child. And prayers forever for his family.

[@Janeonthebrain]

He would have been about 34 now 😔

[@Miss_Witch13]

It’s so sad that it takes someone dying for these amusement parks to make some serious changes that should have been the standard in the first place rip Christopher ❤

[@cplcabs]

Well, no real changes were made due to the fact that no one was really at fault bar the kid

[@Miss_Witch13]

@@cplcabs true for this case I meant it more to other cases than this one sorry if that wasn’t clear

[@floydsemlow8253]

Great Video,much Love and respect from 🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@darthwaifu1052]

This ride is now located in brean theme park in South West! I actually worked on this ride which is called astro storm. This ride is still causing crazy amount problems. This death is actually hidden from public due to trying make it look good

[@brendaandrezeywski7577]

God please comfort these families ❤️ 💔 🙏🏻 👪

[@Leo_Cymru]

As soon as I saw the photo I was thinking "that's Brean not Blackpool?" then you confirmed, I go to Brean, golden sands every year on holidays I love it there, but I never knew the backstory of this ride, so tragic I'll never be able to go on there again :( it must definitely be a lot safer though as I've never heard a single complaint about it, in Brean at least

[@debbietaylor5183]

This was only accident to happen on space invader that I know of & I'm a year older than victim would have been I felt much safer on this ride than avalanche I'm surprised nobody fell from that tbh

[@THEremiXFACTOR]

I remember walking past this ride when I was a kid visiting Blackpool. It always looked kind of ominous and creepy. I never went on it. (I have been on Disney's Space Mountain however.)

[@traceybeerling4776]

R.I.P Christopher 😢💔💕

[@Django2424]

Some of these rides I never let my young boys ride because I don’t think they are safe, so sorry about this very sad 😢 R.I.P. little man my father will watch over you and love you in heaven.

[@Django2424]

@@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 I don’t drive

[@sarahhhspeaks1984]

So sad.. It always baffles me how; in cases like this and others, the rides keep going.. How many more people have rode in the same car, went past the place he died etc.. Many whom never know of what happened. Poor baby, I feel like more should have been done. 😭

[@Borninthe80s.]

Also could say the same about roads and airplanes how many people have died on them we go on them all the time without knowing people have died can’t expect them to close off the roads or closedown airports

[@Nightweaver1]

I keep saying it on all these videos: Seat belts are simply not adequate enough restraints for roller coasters. The physics involved are too extreme. Unless you're talking about a low-speed child's coaster, but that didn't sound like what this one was. Anything that puts sizable negative G-forces on your body needs an overhead shoulder restraint.

[@p4ngolin]

learned from experience that any ride that does have an overhead harness thing is a nono Almost fell off a ride once, at a fun fair, that had just a bar at waist level. absolutely shocking how they do the bare minimum and get away with it despite the accidents

[@kerrywestwood496]

I live in Blackpool and remember this -such a sad story and god bless him and his family xx

[@spldan]

That was the exact same day that Thorpe Park had a really bad fire 😳😳 Cursed day for UK theme parks

[@emclemmiecreativemuse7283]

Funny we were at Blackpool pleasure beach a month after, remember it being closed. We were on the big one when our train got stuck just before the loading bay and the following train crashed into the back of our's (I was at the front of the first so well away from point of impact - and lucky wasn't high speed) - At the time was so surreal, remember seeing a boy stuck at the back and how the park staff didn't seem to really care, once got off the train pretty much handed out free tickets (for one ride) - no checks or anything. One part I never forget is actually watching the train come around and seeing the operator's face... So I had a very warped view that accidents were normal, and the adult that was with us did complain (and we got a day out in the black pool and fish and chips >< ) looking back I feel quite sad as if learnt from what happened then (and was another same accident years before) may have avoided a more serious one in 2009. It was only a month after this... so the lesson wasn't learnt and as an adult, this now kind of makes me mad. Feel parks got away with it more in the days before social media! RIP Christoper Sherratt... x x x

[@carliepower1088]

I do remember this ride, I never actually went on it though. I just thought it was one of many rides that was changed for something more up to date! So sorry for Christopher's family 😞

[@deadpatriot8047]

Great video and I love that you speak to the family at the end great job.

[@usmale49]

Absolutely horrific...thank you for the video!!

[@jrsc01.]

6:03 The Space Invader was refurbished iin 2004 and renamed as Space Invader 2, until it closed for good in 2008.

[@lycanmotions]

I remember seeing police tape outside the space invaders ride and the cops there believing a massive incident inside. This was like 23 years ago and the horror on my dad's face refusing to tell me what happened. He heard the shriek before it quickly ended with a bang, that was until I heard sirens and my dad told us to leave the park together which we raced off. We never went back until 2018.

[@mickharrison9004]

Yeah very sad as a young lad myself I worked on pleasure beach a while age 18 on some rides ,the space invader was a great ride and all sympathies to lads family and friends .

[@Melsincatuation]

I wonder if he and his buddies were daring each other to take off seat belt...that sounds exactly like something my little brother and his friends would have done at that age!! They should always have seat belts that cannot be removed by the rider!!

[@chloexo7915]

I used to work with one of his friends that was there with Christopher on that day, it still affects him now

[@ewmeneither]

love how their spokesperson pretends theres zero foreseeability that an 11 year old wont follow ride rules

[@tarawillis5450]

Very sad story. Poor little boy. ♥️😔

[@FannyLerouxTime]

Wow, I never knew about this, i'd always wondered why the ride to this day remains standing but not operating. I don't think there's any mention of the incident within the park.

[@zombiechicken7114]

This is confusing as the friend specifically said the seat belt was still fastened so the findings were incorrect. Looking at the comments here it seems the ride wasn't well restrained by the belt. So sorry for this young man and his family.

[@Areniapixie]

We used to go to blackpool a couple of times a year and would visit the theme park every time. I’m surprised it was this ride and not the bobsleigh tbh, that one always felt so unsafe 😬 I’ve been on the space invader a few times and didn’t know about Christopher 💔

[@DisasterthonTrueHorror]

I use to go to a punk festival there every year… Blackpool is, let’s just say a required taste😂

[@Areniapixie]

@@DisasterthonTrueHorror 😆 It’s definitely an interesting place. Something for everyone, I never went to the punk festival but always got dragged along to the Christmas illuminations

[@DisasterthonTrueHorror]

@@Areniapixie suprised you’re not still stuck in the queue then

[@aishlingpaigehanlon1571]

around 2012 me ,my mum,dad and brothers went to the pleasure Beach and we went oh the avalanche and my brother restraints weren't on right and he held on for dear life.i was on the different bobsleigh to him but told me when he got of

[@Areniapixie]

@@aishlingpaigehanlon1571 Thats the one, I totally forgot the name. I only went on once and refused to go back on, it was awful 😣

[@RadicalEdward2]

For a second, I thought you were going to tell me the incident involved the arcade game 😅

[@bigballer151]

Great videos man. Keep it up

[@picklespip9213]

I find it frightening that a ride can easily allow people to unbuckle themselves. I know that he shouldn't have. But children aren't the wisest so I am glad that you cannot unbuckle the seat yourself anymore

[@toastface3715]

Interesting story man, poor kid 😞

[@cjmacq-vg8um]

technically, "blackpool pleasure beach" isn't a theme park but an amusement park. a theme park is an amusement park with a central "theme" to it like "disneyland" or "sea world." an amusement park is just a stationary carnival that runs all year long. i miss those traveling carnivals. every summer we'd hear - "the carnival's in town," and families and kids from all over the community would invade. it was wonderful. it was something that united the community. so much of this "modern" world has lost its "old world" charm.