Drama momentarily hit Southend-on-Sea's well-known Adventure Island final weekend after riders of the "biggest and best" attraction had been evacuated.

When the trip broke down, they grew to become caught at a 90-degree angle going through skywards on the 72-foot excessive rollercoaster.

A rescue operation was launched and people aboard had been evacuated and returned to the bottom inside 40 minutes.

While scary, the uncommon mishap seemingly will not cease thrill-seekers flocking to the park.

It has put Southend on the map and attracted folks from far and huge for properly over 100 years.

The small metropolis has received a nasty rap, just lately named among the many worst places in the UK for an evening out and among the many worst locations for anti-social behaviour. Residents even named it the "worst place on Earth".

But there's extra to Southend than meets the attention.

It has held on to the normal British seaside atmosphere that many have misplaced over time.

It boasts award-winning seashores and household points of interest just like the world-famous pier and its mile-long railway, the top-rated aquarium Sealife Adventure, and naturally Adventure Island.

The park initially began means again in 1918 because the Sunken Gardens, a seaside backyard that within the Nineteen Twenties arrange a couple of youngsters's rides.

It wasn't till 1976 that the world was redeveloped and drastically expanded, and later in 1995 it was expanded to the east of the pier.

Southend Pier, the longest pleasure pier in the world, compliments the park, extending greater than a mile and working your entire size to the Lifeboat Museum.

In all, it accommodates a whopping 36 rides, together with 5 rollercoasters and a pair of water rides, in addition to quite a few stores and cafes and eating places, which means you'll be able to spend a complete day there with out becoming bored.

Today, it recurrently ranks prime amongst lists of the perfect theme parks within the UK, alongside the likes of business giants Alton Towers and Oakwood, its hallmark 'Rage' trip among the many stand-out points of interest.

Adventure Island is not solely what Southend has to supply, nonetheless.

There's a thriving cultural scene within the metropolis with numerous museums and historic homes providing insights into the world's previous, just like the Thirteenth-century Hadleigh Castle and the Twelfth-century Prittlewell Priory.

Art areas adorn town, and you'll measurement up previous masters and exhibitions on the Beecroft Art Gallery or up to date artwork at Focal Point Gallery.

Events and festivals run proper all year long in Southend, with music, dance, ships, and puppets popping up within the metropolis's many venues.

And for individuals who are extra in regards to the finger issues in life, Southend is seeing an growing quantity of wining and eating packages hit its high quality eating places and theatres — not to mention two casinos in case you're feeling fortunate and able to splash the money.