Winter Wonderland ride breaks, two boys rescued
Two teenagers were rescued after a “reverse bungee” ride broke at Winter Wonderland in London, leaving the boys suspended in the air.
The Met police said, “one of the bungee cords attached to the cage had snapped.”
But the amusement park industry’s own regulatory safety scheme said there was a “technical issue” with a gear box.
Winter Wonderland said the teenage boys had been brought down “safely” and the ride was closed whilst an investigation takes place.
The Met Police attended alongside the London Fire Brigade, but the cage had been lowered and the boys had left before the Met arrived. There are no reported injuries.
Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme (ADIPS), which went to the site on Thursday morning, said in a statement released via Winter Wonderland: “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.”
The scheme, created by amusement park industry bodies, added: “We inspected the ride at 07:00GMT 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.”
‘Technical issue’
A Hyde Park Winter Wonderland spokesperson 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.”
They added: “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.”
