Man Breaks Neck Riding Roller Coaster With Nephew: Paralyzed, On Life Support [Video]

Robert Sycamore, 58, was on a holiday with his family at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in the UK. Sycamore and his grand-nephew, Harry Parlour, 13, decided to make the 70-year-old wooden Grand National roller coaster their first ride of the day, as reported by the Mirror. Unfortunately, it was also their last ride.

At some point in time during the 50mph ride, Robert’s neck snapped, sending him slumped down in the bottom of the carriage of the ride, terrifying his grand-nephew. As the coaster pulled back into the loading area, Harry was screaming in horror. Harry’s dad, Darren Parlour, told the Daily Mail, “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.”

Darren continued to reveal that his uncle Rob’s neck snapped and said the “muscles collapsed and he’s just melted into the seat.” Darren climbed into the coaster to help his uncle as emergency team arrived. Darren held Rob’s neck in place so that it didn’t move.

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

The Daily Mail reports that North West Ambulance Service received a call at 12:40 p.m. regarding the incident, and at that time Lancashire Fire and Rescue were also sent to assist the paramedics. Sycamore was rushed to Royal Preston Hospital where he is on a life support machine to keep his heart and lungs functioning. Doctors have told the family “that he will not be able to use his body.”

Sycamore’s nephew, Darren, explains to the Mirror that they don’t know how or why it happened. He goes on to say that the family doesn’t blame anyone, but are just in shock.

“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.”

It has been made known that Robert Sycamore had an underlying back disorder. He suffered from spondylitis which is an inflammation of the vertebrae in the back. It is yet to be determined if this played a role in the accident.

Daily Mail reports that the Grand National wooden rollercoaster “was first designed in 1935.” Currently, the Grand National is only one of three like it in the entire world. It consists of a twin track, where two trains compete side by side. The coaster has 6,600 feet of tracks and picks up to a speed of 50mph. Its height is 62 feet, and the length of the ride is a little under two-and-a-half minutes.

Here is a video of the Grand National in action.

After being badly damaged by a fire back in May of 2004, it was completely refurbished and was back in business six months later in October.

A spokesperson for the fair shared a statement with the Mirror.

“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.”

[Photo Credit: DailyMail.co.uk]