Slingshot ride snaps at London's Winter Wonderland while two people are trapped inside
Two people have had a terrifying experience after the slingshot ride they were in snapped.
You can watch horrifying footage of the incident below:
The duo boarded the ride at London's Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, ready to be shot into the air inside a tiny capsule.
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Slingshot rides are powered by a spring machine that applies loads of pressure to bands holding the metal orb.
Once everything looks all set and ready to go, the operator will press a button that sends the capsule shooting into the sky.
The capsule is connected to the structure by two large, stretchy bands.
In the shocking video captured at the Winter Wonderland, it's clear one of these bands failed.
It's unclear whether the band snapped as the capsule was going into the air or as they were being stretched.
The capsule then shot upwards and over to one side, before crashing into one of the two poles holding up the structure.
Footage of the incident has been posted on social media and many have been left shocked by what they saw.
One person said: "You will NEVER catch me on one of these."
Another added: "OMG I thought you meant snapped as in it was amazing not as in LITERALLY."
A third wrote: "I went the other day and this is all I could imagine."
A Met Police spokesperson said: "It was reported that two teenage boys had been in a fairground ride when one of the bungee cords attached to the cage had snapped. The cage was left suspended in the air."
Neither of the riders were injured.
A Winter Wonderland Hyde Park spokesperson told LADbible: "We can confirm that a technical issue involving the reverse bungee occurred on Wednesday evening. Both riders were safely escorted off the ride, checked by our on-site medics and were not injured.
"Safety is our highest priority and the ride is closed while further investigation takes place. All of our rides undergo rigorous and regular safety checks by experienced members of staff trained in health and safety. We also provide regular training for all staff to ensure our visitors can enjoy a fun and safe experience.
"All other attractions at Winter Wonderland are operating as normal."
They added in an update: "We can confirm that the elastic cord and the steel wire rope supporting the Reverse Bungee gondola in which the public sit has not snapped or failed in any way.
"We inspected the ride at 7am this morning and it was found that a technical issue had occurred within a sealed gear box that controls the release of the elastic cord and steel wire rope.
"The HSE has been informed."
This isn't the first issue that has plagued a Winter Wonderland in the UK this festive season.
A ride at a similar event in Cardiff was closed to the public after three people were thrown from a carriage.
On November 26, three people were tossed from the Ice Skater Sizzler ride and suffered 'serious injuries', according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Laura Rogers, from Pontypridd, was visiting Winter Wonderland with her family when she witnessed the incident unfold.
"We were playing on the games opposite and we heard a bit of commotion," the 29-year-old told WalesOnline.
"As we looked over we saw all the security running around all frantic. We noticed they rushed to a cabin. They then left with some sort of medical bag.
"As they rushed past us we followed. Then I realised there was an accident on the ride.
"Then they pulled one railing off on the side. I then noticed a lady or girl on the side pinned against it."
A spokesperson for Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland said in a statement: "Safety is always a priority for us and a full investigation into the incident is now taking place.
"We, as the event organisers, are working closely with the ride owner/operator and all relevant organisations to investigate.
"The ride will remain closed during this time."
Stewart Perrie