Slingshot ride at Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland SNAPS and CRASHES with passengers still INSIDE

This is the terrifying moment the slingshot ride at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park snapped, leaving two riders trapped last night.

The seating pod on the fairground ride at the popular London Christmas attraction crashed into the support beam and left two people, both believed to be male, stuck inside.

The ride typically uses elastic cords to launch the pod straight up into the air as if propelled by a slingshot. 

But a video on social media showed the ride went badly wrong when a technical issue caused the release of one of the elastic cords and steel wire ropes.

The seating pod on the fairground ride at the popular London Christmas attraction crashed into the support beam with riders still inside last night

Moments before the slingshot ride at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park snapped its band as riders took off

The remaining band recoiled to the side and sent the pod hurtling into one of the ride's support beams, leaving the riders suspended in mid-air. 

The seating pod – with the riders still inside – launched entirely to the left.

After crashing into the beam the seating pod hung on its side. 

It is not the first incident to have marred the popular attraction this winter, after a stabbing outside the entrance earlier this week. 

A video on social media shows two people seated in the spherical metal pod

A member of staff redirects people away from the slingshot ride after the incident in Hyde Park

Another video shows staff at Winter Wonderland blocking access to the ride just after the crash.

It also shows the London Fire Brigade attending the incident.

A Hyde Park Winter Wonderland spokesman said: '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.'

The London Fire Brigade has been contacted for further information. 

• Do you know the riders in the slingshot? Email [email protected]