A high-tension cable on the Southwest Slinger, a slingshot-style attraction at Western Playland in Sunland Park, snapped Friday while two people were onboard, leaving the capsule hanging over the midway, according to video from the scene. The riders eventually exited the attraction, and officials had not released any information on possible injuries at the time this story was published.
Video circulating online appears to show one of the ride's cables broken while the capsule sits suspended above the ground, the El Paso Times reported. The outlet said Western Playland had not responded to its requests for comment and that authorities had not disclosed whether anyone was injured as of the time of publication.
Ride And Park Details
Western Playland lists the Southwest Slinger among its attractions for the 2026 season, confirming the ride was operating at the park this year. The attraction is described as a reverse-bungee or slingshot-style launch that uses high-tension cables to fire riders into the air, according to Coasterpedia.
Rescues And Safety Context
Local fire crews had already been training for exactly this kind of scenario. Earlier this spring, firefighters ran ride-rescue drills inside the park as part of seasonal preparations, practicing the use of ladders, harnesses and careful positioning to remove riders from elevated attractions, KVIA reported.
Similar slingshot-style rides have faced scrutiny in recent months. In April, a cable snapped on a Steel Max slingshot at Seville's Feria de Abril, leaving four people injured, according to ABC7.
What Officials Say
Western Playland had not issued an immediate public statement by the time the El Paso Times published its account, and local authorities had not said whether anyone was injured, the outlet reported. Park management and any relevant inspection agencies are expected to decide next steps, including whether and when the Southwest Slinger will reopen.
