The tranquility of a ghost tour at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens was shattered by a startling and unexpected intrusion. A group of elderly participants, engrossed in the spooky tales and eerie atmosphere, found themselves facing a real-life fright when a heavily armed police weapons team burst through the wrong door. The officers, lost and disoriented during a counter-terrorism drill, mistook the terrified pensioners for actors participating in the exercise. The scene unfolded in the darkened theater, where the unsuspecting ghost tour group was exploring the historic venue. Suddenly, a team of armed officers, clad in tactical gear and brandishing weapons, stormed the area, their shouts echoing through the space.
The initial reaction among the pensioners was a mixture of shock and terror. Some were frozen in fear, while others, recognizing the officers despite the alarming circumstances, managed to maintain a semblance of composure. One woman, her voice trembling, pleaded with the officers, “Don’t shoot, I’m on a ghost tour!” Her words, a desperate attempt to clarify the situation, underscored the sheer absurdity of the encounter. Another participant, Mike Craig, recounted the scene, describing how some members of the group were nearly paralyzed by fear, while others, realizing the officers were genuine police, tried to make sense of the chaotic intrusion. He noted the presence of elderly individuals relying on canes and Zimmer frames, highlighting their vulnerability in such a startling situation.
The tension-filled moment was captured on video, revealing the officers’ confusion and the pensioners’ genuine fear. Following the initial shock, an officer, realizing the error, returned to the group to offer an apology. He confirmed that none of the weapons carried live ammunition, attempting to alleviate the lingering anxiety. Despite the harrowing experience, the pensioners displayed a remarkable sense of humor. One woman, in a moment of levity, quipped, “Have you got any Valium?”, acknowledging the stressful ordeal they had just endured.
Lancashire Police, in a statement acknowledging the incident, confirmed that the armed officers had indeed stumbled upon the ghost tour during their counter-terrorism drill. The police explanation indicated that the officers initially mistook the pensioners for actors involved in the exercise and, therefore, attempted to evacuate them. The statement emphasized that the pensioners were never treated as suspects but were simply caught in the crossfire of the training exercise. Furthermore, the police commended the pensioners for their understanding and good humor, acknowledging that they had “seen the humorous side” of the incident.
This bizarre encounter, a collision of a spooky ghost tour and a serious counter-terror drill, highlights the potential for miscommunication and confusion during such exercises. The incident underscores the importance of clear communication and coordination between different teams involved in such operations to prevent similar incidents in the future. While the pensioners’ initial reaction was understandably fear, their ability to find humor in the situation after the fact is a testament to their resilience and good spirits.
The incident also serves as a reminder of the potential for unintended consequences during training exercises, especially those involving armed personnel. While such drills are essential for preparedness, they must be conducted with meticulous planning and clear communication to minimize the risk of disruption or harm to innocent bystanders. The ghost tour group’s experience, though frightening, ultimately ended without physical harm, thanks in part to the officers’ quick realization of their mistake and their prompt apology. The pensioners’ ability to find humor amidst the chaos speaks volumes about their character and resilience, turning a potentially traumatic experience into a memorable, albeit bizarre, anecdote.
