Thrill seekers on a 72ft-high rollercoaster got more than they bargained for after they were left hanging vertically when the ride broke down.

Social media footage showed riders of the Rage attraction at the Adventure Island theme park in Southend in Essex stuck at a 90-degree angle facing skywards on Friday afternoon.

A rescue operation was launched and those aboard were evacuated and returned to the ground within 40 minutes, according to the park.

Rage is advertised as Adventure Island’s “biggest and best” rollercoaster – with “loops, twists, and flat-out speeds”.

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Marc Miller, managing director of the Stockvale Group – which runs Adventure Island, said: “Just after 2pm today, a carriage on Rage stopped on the lift.

“Our highly trained team immediately initiated our ride evacuation plan, which has been certified by the Health and Safety Executives and Essex Fire and Rescue.

“All passengers were returned to the ground, safe and sound and reunited with their families within 40 minutes.”