A startling video shows the moment a section of rollercoaster track crumbled away mid-ride forcing the passenger cart to grind to a halt.

The eyewitness footage was shot on Dreamland Margate’s Scenic Railway ride minutes before staff rushed to the aid of passengers.

A Dutch theme park enthusiast recorded the incident while sitting on the front row of the UK’s oldest rollercoaster which, since then, has been listed as closed.

Posted on YouTube account Coasters ‘n’ Cocktails, it first shows the ride running normally, before highlighting a small piece of what appears to be wood on the tracks.

After passing over it, the carriage slows down and rolls backwards, revealing the damaged wood below.

People sitting further back can be seen laughing and cheering, assuming the operators had made a mistake.

They can later be heard talking nervously among themselves as they realise the wooden slats were damaged.

Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident on August 10, but the ride remains closed.

André Bormans, who was visiting from the Netherlands, captured the clip.

He told KentOnline: “My visit to Dreamland Margate was part of a trip with a rollercoaster enthusiast group.

“Most of my friends already rode the Scenic Railway before me, but I decided to wait a round so I could get a shot at a front-row seat in order to film the ride.

“They completed their ride as normal and it was my turn.

“The first part of the ride went as usual. After the second lift, I noticed something on the track already.

“This is not necessarily uncommon, as - despite the many warnings - people still bring items they lose during the ride.

“I expected the item to go under the train, but unfortunately this didn't happen.

“I felt the train moving slightly sideways and braking too much. When the train rolled back, I could see the damage it did to the track.”

He recalled how the ride operator came over “immediately” to make sure everyone was okay.

Technicians then attended to get all the passengers on the ground safely.

The theme park fan - who has ridden more than 1,500 different coasters across the world - added: “The staff of Dreamland made sure time and time again that everyone was alright.

“They wanted to be 100% sure. We were offered food and drinks.

“I immediately informed the staff about what I saw and the video I took.

“They really wanted to have the video to help with investigations on what happened and of course how to prevent it, so I shared it with them.

“After everything was said and done I rejoined my friends and we still had a blast the rest of the day and went on many of the other rides.”

The Scenic Railway remains listed as “not operating” on Dreamland’s website.

Dreamland has not responded to requests for comment when approached by KentOnline this week.