Blackpool's £16million roller coaster opens to the public with stunning new pictures and video showing what a treat visitors are in for
- The Icon roller coaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach has been five years in planning and cost £16.25million
- Riders will feel the same acceleration as a Formula 1 driver before twisting and turning at high speeds
- New hair-raising images show some of the first thrill-seekers to try out Icon which has drops of up to 82 feet
Blackpool Pleasure Beach's new £16.25million roller coaster is set to open tomorrow - and hair-raising new images and point-of-view footage of the ride show that it'll be heaven for thrill-seekers.
The Icon has been five years in the planning and when it opens, it will be the UK's first double-launch roller coaster.
The new pictures and video were taken on the day that the coaster was launched to the press and show riders experiencing its Formula 1-level acceleration and high-speed twists and turns.
Scroll down for video
New hair-raising images show some of the first thrill-seekers to try out the new Icon roller coaster at Blackpool
Riders smile as the Icon roller coaster takes on one of the fast turns on the new attraction to Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Two of the large drops on the roller coaster's route. The journey is accompanied by Icon’s 'original and dramatic' soundtrack, which builds anticipation for the ride
To add to the drama of the ride, the roller coaster goes through tunnels before emerging into clouds of smoke
The double-launch feature sees riders boosted to 88.5ft and braving drops of up to 82ft.
As riders head towards Icon’s imposing ride station, they head through a set of Japanese-inspired gates and down landscaped pathways.
The journey is accompanied by Icon’s 'original and dramatic' soundtrack, which builds anticipation for the ride.
Those brave enough to experience the ride will feel the same acceleration as a Formula 1 driver before twisting and turning at high speeds
Hundreds of tonnes of grey steel track have been hoisted into position since work began on the thrill-seeking ride in December 2016
Hundreds of tonnes of grey steel track have been hoisted into position since work began in December 2016.
Amanda Thompson, managing director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, said: 'I’m so pleased that everyone can finally experience Icon.
'It is a simply stunning ride and I’m delighted with the look and style of it.
Icon’s imposing ride station, where riders will head through a set of Japanese inspired gates and down landscaped pathways
Amanda Thompson, managing director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, said: 'I’m so pleased that everyone can finally experience Icon'
'We have created a totally unique experience here at Blackpool Pleasure Beach confirming our continued commitment to make Pleasure Beach one of the world’s greatest amusement parks.'
Nick Thompson, deputy managing director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, added: 'Icon has been five years in the planning and it’s an amazing feeling to finally be able to welcome our guests to experience it for themselves.
'The team at Blackpool Pleasure Beach have done a fantastic job in creating what I believe is one of the best rides in the country, if not the world.'
Most watched News videos
- Shocking moment woman is abducted by man in Oregon
- London horse rampage witness describes panic as chaos unfolded
- Moment escaped Household Cavalry horses rampage through London
- Wills' rockstar reception! Prince of Wales greeted with huge cheers
- Vacay gone astray! Shocking moment cruise ship crashes into port
- Prison Break fail! Moment prisoners escape prison and are arrested
- Rayner says to 'stop obsessing over my house' during PMQs
- Shocking moment pandas attack zookeeper in front of onlookers
- Columbia protester calls Jewish donor 'a f***ing Nazi'
- New AI-based Putin biopic shows the president soiling his nappy
- Big Ben's newly-restored clock stops working for more than an hour
- Ammanford school 'stabbing': Police and ambulance on scene