Horrified onlookers watched as rescuers scrambled to the aid of eight terrified people stuck “at the top” of a 22-metre rollercoaster.

Witnesses said they were left hanging on the tracks for “at least 30 minutes” after the Rage ride at Adventure Island in Southend, Essex, broke down just before 2pm on Friday.

A mum, 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.”