ADVENTURE Island says its rollercoaster Rage is safe, as it reveals it is made by the same company which was responsible for the ride at Alton Towers on which four people were seriously injured.

Alton Towers has remained closed since two carriages on the Smiler rollercoaster crashed on Tuesday, injuring 16 people.

The Smiler was manufactured by Gerstlauer, the same company responsible for Rage at Adventure Island on Southend seafront.

Theme park bosses have reassured visitors the sevenyear- old ride is safe.

The bright yellow and purple rollercoaster has a top speed of 45mph and a 72ft drop.

In a statement Adventure Island said: “Like the majority of other theme and fun parks across the UK and Europe, Adventure Island also has a rollercoaster by Gerstlauer, the manufacturer of Alton Towers’ Smiler.

“Our rollercoaster, Rage, has been in operation for seven years with no safety issues.

“It is impossible for two cars to collide, as the independent dual computer system prevents a car starting its ride until the previous car has arrived back in the station.”

Rides at Adventure Island go through a rigorous inspection process which involves daily, weekly, monthly and annual checks on each of the rides by the in-house, highly-experienced, qualified team.

Rides are also annually inspected by independent inspectors. Adventure Island added: “Our first action on hearing of the tragic incident at Alton Towers was to immediately contact the manufacturer Gerstlauer in order to take its advice.

“It assured us Rage is perfectly safe and there was absolutely no reason at all why it should not continue to operate as normal.

“Obviously, we will continue to monitor the situation and receive regular briefings from both the Health and Safety Executive and Gerstlauer, and will not hesitate to take appropriate action should that situation change.”

Alton Towers owner Merlin Entertainments has closed rollercoasters at two of its other parks for safety checks, in the wake of the accident.