Thrill-seekers stuck halfway up 72ft rollercoaster at popular seaside resort

28 July 2023 , 16:45

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Thrill-seekers were left stuck in the air after a rollercoaster mishap at Adventure Island (Image: Facebook)

A crowd of people were left stranded halfway up a 72ft-high rollercoaster in a popular seaside resort. The group of thrill-seekers were left suspended in mid-air at Southend's Adventure Island when 'The Rage' broke came to an abrupt halt.

Those on board were stuck halfway up the vertical climb just before 2pm today. Witnesses said they had to be harnessed and rescued down from the terrifying ride at the Essex attraction.

A mother who was visiting the park with her six year old daughter said: "They had to be harnessed and rescued down. It got stuck, it's the big one there that goes through the loop - it goes up, God knows high, and then straight back down and then loops. It literally just got stuck, right at the top."

The woman, who asked not to be named, told the Mail Online: "The carriages are still stuck at the top at the moment, but the people are out, they harnessed them out one at the time. They were up there for at least half an hour, 45 minutes probably.

"It was all quite calm to be fair, the park seemed to handle it really, really well. They were reassuring them, there was no screaming or mass hysteria, though obviously there was a large crowd of people around and lots of people there. I've never been on the ride, I'm not about to now either."

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Footage taken by visitors on the ground shows the car stuck on the vertical climb section of the ride at the seaside attraction. The Rage, a Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter model roller coaster, is known for its unique lift tower, which transports passengers up lying on their backs and sends them off on the roller coaster experience with a drop of more than 90°.

It comes after adrenaline junkies at another theme park were left stuck in the air earlier this month, when Alton Towers' famous Smiler ride also came to an abrupt stop. Carriages on the ride were seen ground to a halt on a vertical section, before moving slowly downwards.

Alton Towers officials said the blip was a "routine pause in operation", saying guests were held stationary before being assisted off the ride at the nearest exit point.

The Mirror has contacted Adventure Island for a comment.

Susie Beever