Dozens trapped at the top of Movie World roller coaster

UPDATE: A poorly timed Twitter message was sent via Movie World’s account as passengers were being rescued from a stalled rollercoaster.

A POORLY timed Twitter message was sent via Movie World’s account, as passengers were being rescued from a stalled rollercoaster.

A screen grab of the Movie World tweet.

The tweet, sent at 1pm - which has now been deleted - showed a picture of one of the Gold Coast theme park’s rollercoasters with the message: “Tag someone that you think should add these to their New Year’s Resolutions! #repost #movieworldaus”

The message led to several negative comments from other social media users, suggesting the theme park rethink its use of autotweets.

All passengers aboard the Arkham Asylum rollercoaster have been evacuated. But the last to be freed were trapped there for almost two hours.

The ride malfunctioned about 11.45am and the last passengers were freed at 1.30pm.

No one was injured in the incident.

The stranded passengers had to endure hot weather as they waited. The Gold Coast soared above 30C on Wednesday as a heatwave hit southern Queensland.

@movieworldaus Really... your posting this TODAY 🤔 #MovieWorld pic.twitter.com/MBoIchJz9u

— Nadine Cowell (@MrsNadineCowell) January 11, 2017

Movie World General Manager Greg Young updating media on the Arkham Asylum roller coaster rescue. https://t.co/Kxu7qfTWsp #7News pic.twitter.com/nVW8kvuqSW

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) January 11, 2017

Earlier, a theme park spokesman said the ride sustained a ‘mechanical issue with a chain’, but

Rescuers free trapped passengers at Movie World. Picture: Aaron Semler

Movie World general manager Greg Yong said it was still too early to know what had caused the malfunction.

“These kind of mechanical incidents take some time to investigate,” he said.

He could not say when the ride would reopen.

EARLIER: DOZENS of patrons are trapped on a ride at Gold Coast theme park Movie World.

Emergency services including paramedics and fire rescue crews have been sent to the Oxenford fun park after the Arkham Asylum ride malfunctioned.

Movie World rides were cleared after an official Worksafe Queensland safety audit last month following the Dreamworld Thunder River Rapids Ride disaster at Dreamworld where four tourists died.

#BREAKING: Firefighters at top of Movie World's Arkham Asylum rollercoaster working to free passengers stuck on the ride. #9News pic.twitter.com/qw3dPt68I5

— Nine News Gold Coast (@9NewsGoldCoast) January 11, 2017

The ambulance service is on standby but says so far there are no reports of injuries.

Firefighters were called to the Oxenford theme park just before midday, after being told they may have to stage a vertical rescue.

Firefighters climbing Arkham Asylum rollercoaster at Movie World to free passengers stuck at the top @9NewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/f0IjNA6i3x

— Carrie Greenbank (@CGreenbank9) January 11, 2017

More details as they come to hand.