The Press over exaggerate anything with coasters, take the Smiler doing routine stops on chainlifts for practice evacs. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. As far as I know, it was the first Schwarzkopf coaster to fail in this way. The ride was closed in 2006. Enclosed within a giant tent, Black Hole was a rollercoaster which took place in near complete darkness. It now features a laser gun shooting game, with a zombie theme. It was previously named the Wave Swinger, and then the Ug Swinger, before its closure in 2016. I don't think AT ever revealed what happened, but obviously it was deemed safe to ride after inspection. James, 29, was an Iraq War veteran who had lost both his legs in the conflict. [2], In late 2021, Furuvik Zoo put the rollercoaster up for sale. But the story didn't end thereafter many years of looking as though the coaster had a date with the scrap heap, The Black Hole did eventually find a new owner, and since 2011 has been enjoying a second lease of life as Rocket at Furuvik, a park in Sweden. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! Following a special enthusiast event to say goodbye to the ride, Black Hole was closed in March 2005. Something went wrong, please try again later. The colour scheme of the original tent was changed from yellow and green to a dark blue, and the entrance was revamped to reflect the X-Sector theme. In later years, the Black Hole became costly to maintain, and the park decided to close the attraction in 2005. Attraction Source Events & Meetup Archive, http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p281 cu0009.jpg. The opening of Oblivion in 1998 led to the redevelopment of Fantasy World, which became known as X-Sector. All that happened, by reading that article at least, is part of the undercarriage became loose and impacted with the track, causing the train to sharply stop and the track to be lightly damaged. It would not have been a full derailment, a partial one maybe, a wheel may have failed, but it wouldn't have completely left the track. The Black Hole took its final voyage on March 5th 2005, much to the dismay of enthusiasts and guests alike, and then not a lot. Black Hole had an outer space theme, with the queueline and station featuring Jules Verne style scenery. Six were killed and ten more taken to hospital unconscious. The advert can be found on the Disney VHS releases of Dumbo (1996 Re-release), The Fox and The Hound, The Lion King, Pocahontas, D2: The Mighty Ducks, White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf, Angels in The Outfield and Leon. The ride, which closed in 1992, was the resort's first 'dark ride' taking its smaller visitors on a trip based on Phileas Fogg, and the 1873 novel, called - you guessed it - Around the World in 80 Days. It is conveniently placed on our doorstep in North Staffordshire - and just so happens to boast some of the UK's best rollercoasters. The loading bay, still pretty much intact. It operated from 1984 until 2005. This was the first time the structure had been put to public use since the attraction's closure in March 2005. The Battersea Fun Fair closed two years later due to the accident. The tent remained in place for several years, being utilised . The article above has it about right (according to all the other reports I remember reading at the time). A man was thrown from the ride three days after the park opened in 1999, but escaped with minor injuries. However, in 2002 visitor numbers dropped, and the ride was renamed Duel. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. It opened in 1992 as the longest ghost-train in Europe at the time. I spotted one residing in the children's section of the Royal Stoke University Hospital. February 2007 saw the coaster finally departed the park to shores unknown, though the tent remained as an empty shell for several more seasons, dominating the X Sector skyline. Trains were comprised of two cars, each seating up to six riders in three groups of two, one in front of the other. To capitalise on the effect of the projection, the films used were typically motion-based with the camera mounted onto a variety of moving vehicles, whether that be as part of a car chase, a helicopter journey or even a rollercoaster ride. Opening in 1983, The Black Hole was located inside a large green and yellow tent. For the 1988 season, Black Hole was dismantled and transported to Europe, where it had an overhaul by BHS (later becoming Maurer Shne) of Peienberg in Germany, to accommodate dual-car trains. Has there ever been a death on the Black Hole ride or is this - Reddit Something went wrong, please try again later. 6 people could fit per car and there was only one car per train. During a question-and-answer session in 2010 celebrating the opening of TH13TEEN, it was confirmed by John Wardley and then-marketing director Morwenna Angove that preparation for a new roller coaster in 2013 had begun, and that the former site of Black Hole was being considered for the location. When a man fell into a pond two others jumped in to rescue him. For more pictures of the Black Hole and Alton Towers, check out this website:http://orchardoo.com/school/altontowers.htmlBuy Defunctland T-Shirts:https://teespring.com/stores/defunctlandDonate on Patreon:https://patreon.com/defunctlandIn Defunctland's first international addition, Kevin explores the history of Alton Towers and its Space Mountain rip-off coaster, the Black Hole. No replacement was ever built inside the tent, although the park considered various ideas including flat ride and rollercoaster concepts. Few rides, either before or since have captured the imagination and affection of park guests quite like The Black Hole. As a result, it was changed to a water-based smoke machine. It closed to make way for Rita: Queen of Speed in 2003. All you need to do is sign up to our daily email alerts, and you'll get them sent straight to your inbox. The second happened a year later (approx) on MindBender at West Edmonton Mall, Canada, where poor maintenance and loose bolts caused the undercarriage to fall away from the last car of the coaster, killing 3 people. For the third time that day, his flaps fell off. One guest was taken to hospital for checks after hearing her "neck crack" while. [2] The reconstructed roller coaster reopened, and was briefly named Black Hole II in 1988, and then New Black Hole in 1989, before reverting to its original name.[2]. When did the Black Hole had the accident? [2], In 1985, the bottom of the first drop was modified slightly to make the ride run more smoothly. Certainly. From Corkscrew to Black Hole: Eight rides at Alton Towers we loved and The ride was closed for a year after Hayleys death and then renamed Drenched.. Some of the animations experienced technical problems in the first season and were replaced, including one where a phantom flew above the riders on an overhead track. The tent remained in place for several years, being utilised Boiler House and Carnival of Screams scare mazes for Scarefest 2011, before finally being torn down to make way for The Smiler which now sits on the site. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Nearly all of us have enjoyed a day out at Alton Towers over the years. The devastating crash on The Smiler has capture the attention of the nation, but it is not the first time thrills have turned to horror on the biggest rides. The ride stood in the X-Sector area of the park. The car derailed due to undercarriage failure. Inside, the ride retained its theme of space but received a newly designed queueline and station with steampunk architecture. It was removed in 2010 - the iconic double inversion element is now situated at the park's entrance, where those of us who were tall enough to ride before its closure can fondly remember the bone-shuddering experience of Alton Tower's first huge coaster. Posts: 1. The Black Hole was built on the site of the former Dinosaur Land in 1984, becoming the park's second major coaster and quickly establishing itself as a perennial favourite with park guests. Share your memories of Alton Towers' extensive past here. Riders would be taken on a journey through outer space with various theming objects and special affect 10. Ever since the 2016 crash the news are all over anything the smiler does. The park reopened closed down that December. The flume was originally designed around logs floating in a river, before it was sponsored by Imperial Leather in 2004, at which the point the logs were swapped out for giant bathtubs. Black Hole was one of Alton Towers' classic rides. After a renovation from Gerstlauer, the former Black Hole ride was transported to Sweden and reopened as Rocket at Furuvik Zoo on 21 May 2011. Any donations would be highly appreciated big or small! A spiral lift hill carried guests up into space before they were dropped 15 metres into the Black Hole, where the darkness was only penetrated by brief glimpses of the stars or occasional laser beams illuminating hidden asteroids or other residents of the void. The rope that hauls the cars to the top of the launch hill snapped and then, the anti-rollback mechanism failed. Click this link and you'll see what you can expect. The last car hit support structures before crashing into a concrete pillar in front of a packed audience watching a concert. The coaster was located within a huge silvery black tent (formerly green and yellow) that ensured the ride took place in total darkness. They were single cars then and for some reason the car came to a sudden stop and, supposedly, the front of the car was dislodged off the track. All that happened, by reading that article at least, is part of the undercarriage became loose and impacted with the track, causing the train to sharply stop and the track to be lightly damaged. However, 1001 Nights was renamed Ug Land, and primarily aimed at families. Sign up to our newsletter. It was themed around space.The Black Hole Was Replaced By The Smiler In 2013Alton Towers - The Corkscrew If you are a fan of Alton Towers Resort, then no doubt you will know about the iconic Corkscrew rollercoaster. During the time that the ride operated, the park also operated an outdoor Jet Star III, the Beast. Black Hole - Alton Towers (Alton, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom) It was originally brought to Alton Towers as the Black hole in 1983 before going through a couple of name changes, New Black Hole, Black Hole 2 and finally back to Black hole again. The Black Hole's queue line sported a stage with an animatronic floating alien's head that would interact with passers-by and actually speak with customers waiting in the queue, using what was then a sophisticated set up of cameras and communication devices. It operated from 1984 until 2005. All it'll cost you is the time to input your email address and chose which newsletters you want to receive. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Oblivion, Alton Towers' Secret Weapon 4, was the fourth of the Ministry of Joy's experiments in X-Sector. [quote=""Blaze""]Just to clear it up, it did not 'derail'. Alton Towers Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. Have you ever really been to Alton Towers if you don't have a photo of you and your friends or family on the log flume - your faces frozen in an expression of excitement or terror? Just click here and you're ready to go. Opening in 1980, Corkscrew was a landmark investment for the park, and one which literally doubled attendance in a couple of years due to its popularity.In 1979, John Broom, one of the original Directors of Alton Towers, wanted to install a flagship attraction that would be unique to the UK, and set the benchmark for thrills in the theme park industry. It was then reopened, and named Black Hole II, the New Black Hole, before going back to its original name. Boy, 11, 'pricked by used needle' in Stoke-on-Trent taxi, Yak Yak Land's back as one family find man upside down in their bin, 'Never-ending' roadworks leave Tunstall traders in turmoil, 11 abusive Stoke-on-Trent men who put their partners through hell, Former Dudson worker, 69, died six days after positive Covid test. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Black Hole was an enclosed steel roller coaster at Alton Towers in Staffordshire, England. All you need to do is follow this link and click which newsletters you want to receive. It was also a UK first, following successful launches in Germany and Belgium. It was loosely themed around space exploration. Indeed for those who had never ridden before, the enigmatic nature of the ride built up tension and upped the fear factor. The Black Hole Few rides, either before or since have captured the imagination and affection of park guests quite like The Black Hole. Defunctland: The History of Alton Towers' Black Hole - YouTube The three other deaths involved an electrocution, a heart attack and a passenger suffered fatal injuries when their face smashed onto a rock during a ride. No, the newsletters are absolutely free. The park was fined 250,000 for negligence after it was discovered employees habitually failed to check the bars and seat belts that held riders in place on the Hydro. US Army Sergeant James Hackemer was thrown from the roller coaster and fell to his death in July 2011. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. In 1996 the Black Hole received a makeover, with a new look inspired by the novels of Jules Verne. Black Hole | Alton Towers Wiki | Fandom Seasoned riders knew to bring a raincoat for the ride, as you would get absolutely soaked on the final drop. Search The worst roller coaster tragedy in history happened in May 1972, on the old wooden roller coaster. The following season the traditional yellow and green tented was also repainted in Black and Silver, so the older ride blended seamlessly into the X-Sector when it launched. The Black hole is a Schwarzkopf Jet star 2 coaster with a length of 1919ft, Height of 443 and a duration of 1min 50 seconds. Oblivion | Theme Park Ride at Alton Towers Resort Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Thankfully we have what's called "The Freedom of The Press" which means the . [3], Media related to Black Hole (Alton Towers) at Wikimedia Commons, Last edited on 10 November 2022, at 03:20, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Furuvik zet Schwarzkopf achtbaan Rocket te koop (Furuvik puts Schwarzkopf roller coaster Rocket up for sale)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Black_Hole_(roller_coaster)&oldid=1121026397, This page was last edited on 10 November 2022, at 03:20. All three suffered electric shocks and the rescuers, William Haithcoat and Darrel Robertson, both 20, were killed.