The family of an Ipswich man who sustained a broken neck whilst riding a rollercoaster Blackpool Pleasure Beach which has left him paralysed, has praised the health services for their efforts.

Robert Sycamore, 58, from Ipswich, was on the Grand National ride at the beach resort with his great-nephew, Harry Cole, when his neck broke, leaving him unable to move from the neck down.

Mr Sycamore is in a stable condition at Royal Preston Hospital following a successful 10-hour operation last week to stabilise his breathing and blood flow.

Darren Parlour, Mr Sycamore’s nephew, said: “He is still in intensive care, and it seems like a lot more operations in the future. He has no movement beyond his neck, and they don’t know what can be saved at the moment.

“The hospital here is very good. He has got the best possible care and the nurses and doctors are great.”

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is conducting an ongoing investigation, although it is not believed there was a fault with the ride, and remained open to the public.

Mr Parlour added: “He has a long journey to go, but we would like to thank the hospital staff and everyone for their thoughts.”