Riders left hanging as Southend rollercoaster stops mid-ride

The Rage rollercoaster, pictured here in use, reaches a height of 72ft (22m)

People were left hanging vertically on a rollercoaster for about 30 minutes after the carriage stopped mid-ride.

Videos shared on social media showed about seven people in the carriage on Rage at Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea on Saturday.

An almost identical incident on Rage happened in July.

The theme park owner said the ride's safety computer caused it to stop and there was no fault and no-one was harmed.

The riders appeared to be suspended at a height of at least 10m (33ft) above ground.

'Good spirits'

Marc Miller, managing director of operating company, the Stockvale group, said its "trained team" initiated "rehearsed measures" to rescue the customers.

"A carriage on Rage was stopped on the lower section of the lift, via the ride's dual process safety PLC (programmable logic controller computer)," Mr Miller said.

"The group of friends were all in good spirits and [were] down, safe and sound in under 35 minutes and then happy to carry on with their day at Adventure Island.

"Rage then went through its full testing processes to reopen later in the afternoon."

The people on the ride can be heard applauding when the first customer was pulled on to a metal platform, by a staff member wearing a harness.

Mr Miller said its emergency safety procedures were certified by Essex County Fire and Rescue Service as well as the Health and Safety Executive.

The ride reaches a height of 72ft (22m).