UPDATE: AN ‘unstable’ cart was believed to be what thwarted rescue efforts to remove the last of the passengers stuck at the top of a Movieworld ride on the Gold Coast.

The final two of 14 passengers stuck were freed just after 4pm local time to cheers from crowds below.

Two young boys, who appeared to be waiting for their mum, ran to her when she walked off the cherry-picker.

They handed her a slushie and a box of popcorn.

The boys indulged in some free food in the shade while the woman was checked by paramedics.

Earlier, witnesses reported being told workers feared releasing the passengers until they could stabilise the cart, over concerns it might drop and cause injuries.

The ride became stuck shortly before 1pm.

media_camera Rescue workers attempt to stabilise a cart from the Green Lantern ride at movieworld in order to rescue passengers. Pic: supplied. media_camera A family was reunited after the woman in black and white top was rescued from the Green Lantern ride. Pic: supplied.

All areas with a direct view of the people trapped on the ride were cordoned off, with the family members of those trapped waiting and watching from the base of the Green Lantern ride.

Rescue crews had harnesses ready to retrieve the trapped patrons and used a rescue crane and abseiling gear to get to them.

There were four rescue crews helping with the operation.

media_camera People trapped on the Green Lantern ride at Movieworld, Gold Coast.

Onlookers said rescue crews were unable to move anyone from the ride until it was completely secured to the track to ensure it didn’t become unstable and tip.

It was difficult for rescue crews to manoeuvre the cherry-picker around the roller coaster tracks to secure each side of the cart.

“They’re trying to free more people as only two have been freed from top carriage,” said a spectator earlier in the afternoon.

“Everyone is looking and taking photos.”

At least 100 people were reportedly watching the rescue operation.

Some people who arrived at Movieworld left because the ride stood near the main entrance as they arrived.

A statement from Village Roadshow issued this afternoon said there had been an issue with a wheel.

“Warner Bros. Movie World and Queensland Fire have trained for this type of evacuation,” the statement said.

media_camera A truck needed to be suspended to support the weight of the crane in order to rescue passengers from the Green lantern. Pic: supplied.

media_camera A carriage on the Green Latern ride at Movieworld came off its rails forcing the ride to stop and passengers to be stranded 40m in the air. Rescue crews work to secure the carriage and get the people out safely. Photo: Kit Wise

“The rescue team immediately assessed the situation and they have begun the evacuation efforts. “No injuries have occurred. Evacuation efforts are ongoing.

“The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our top priority. Following the evacuation efforts our team of engineers and technicians to will investigate the cause of this mechanical issue before the ride is reopened.”

media_camera A carriage on the Green Latern ride at Movieworld came off its rails forcing the ride to stop and passengers to be stranded 40m in the air. Rescue crews work to secure the carriage and get the people out safely. Photo: Kit Wise

Ally Scott of Ipswich said she saw it happen.

“The noise just stopped and the car was suspended,” she said.

“I was just sitting in my car waiting for my daughter and her friend in the park was instantly so scared they were on the ride.

“Turns out they weren’t, thank goodness.”

Brisbane resident T-ya Sharp said she could see a young girl sitting up on the right hand side.

“There was a little girl up on right hand side, maybe around 10 years old, probably only just tall enough to even go on the ride,” she said.

“We heard crying but we couldn’t see her face.

“But we could tell she was really scared.

“The park staff kept trying to move us on from areas where we could see.

“One couple said their child was up there, so they were really scared and were only just keeping it together.”

media_camera People trapped on Green Lantern ride at Movieworld. Supplied photo.

EARLIER: At 1pm 14 people became trapped on the roller-coaster at a Gold Coast theme park.

Firefighters arrived at Movieworld, Oxenford, after the malfunction.

The people were stuck in several carts, fortunately in different, but upright positions.

One car contained eight people and the other had six.

Two people were freed from the cart on the higher level and left with Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics.

Guests at the park said a wheel has come loose from the ride and “sadly people are currently stuck”.

media_camera People trapped on Green Lantern ride at Movieworld. Supplied photo.

Movie World's Green Lantern ride malfunctioning, leaving people stranded: reports http://t.co/s4WepQZraz pic.twitter.com/a59EzZTVOc — Deirdre Kleiman (@DeDe_kle) March 15, 2015

One of them was a little girl stuck in the top cart.

People in the bottom cart had reportedly been given umbrellas to protect them from the sun and were also provided water.

Emergency crews said engineers attended to the smaller cart and were able to release it to return it to a safe position.

Firies are using their big cherry picker to reach people stranded on Movie World's Green Lantern ride @7NewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/e0o0Reso23 — SEQ incidents (@SEQincidents) March 15, 2015

The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service called vertical rescue staff to assist with the operation.

Firefighters attempted to stabilise the cart in the upper section of ride.

Once the cart was stable, the officers started to remove people from the ride safely.

media_camera People trapped on Green Lantern ride Movieworld. Supplied photo.

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