A rescue operation was launched after a rollercoaster broke down on Southend seafront.

The Rage rollercoaster came to halt with riders stuck on the vertical lift, laying on their backs.

Engineers at the theme park quickly begun an evacuation using an emergency escape platform from the side of the car.

Passengers on the ride could be seen clapping and cheering as they were safely taken off the rollercoaster one by one.

Rage is a Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter model roller coaster, built in 2007 at a cost of £3million.

The signature feature of the ride is 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's described as the biggest and best rollercoaster that Adventure Island has to offer. With a loop, twists and flat-out speeds, Rage is guaranteed to thrill.