A Playland ride that broke down unexpectedly last night - stranding three passengers for well over an hour - could reopen later today, officials said.

Playland Amusement Park employees were unable to restart the "SuperFlight" after it stopped mid-ride at 10:45 p.m. Saturday. The last riders were removed about 12 a.m. using a tower ladder truck supplied by the Harrison Fire Department.

Most passengers were able to get off the ride without help, but one of the coaches could not be unloaded because of its position.

No one was hurt or in danger, police said, and the park remained open for its last half-hour before closing as scheduled at midnight.

The SuperFlight was closed this morning for inspection but was expected to reopen later today. No word yet on what caused the malfunction.

Riders are seated in a coach suspended beneath the rail rather than above. According to the park's Web site, "SuperFlight treats its riders to a constant change in positive and negative G-force and accelerations, with swooping turns, breathtaking drops and two zero gravity rolls."

Three people have been killed in ride accidents at Playland in the last four years, most recently a 21-year-old park employee from White Plains who was killed on the Mind Scrambler June 29. That ride was closed permanently.