Pictured: Mother-of-one acrobat who crashed 12ft to the floor in front of screaming families after 'her foot slipped from swing' during show at London's Winter Wonderland

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Families watched in horror as an acrobat plunged 12ft to the floor 'after slipping from her harness' at Winter Wonderland. 

The accident happened at the Zippos Christmas Circus Show at 6pm, during a performance of Cirque Beserk at the popular event in London's Hyde Park.

Staff rushed to help the artist, mother-of-one Jackie Armstrong, 35, and the tent was quickly cleared of audience members.

A witness told MailOnline: 'The lady had one foot in the loop with no actual harness and her foot slipped out and she fell to the floor diagonally. 

'Kids were on the front row and there were people screaming. 

'She was yelping in agony, it was traumatic as she bounced as she hit the floor. There was an announcement after a minute or two to all leave.'

Ms Armstrong, from Kent, is engaged to fellow performer Valter Jonas, 33, a motorcycle stunt rider. The two have a one-year-old baby girl, who they regularly take to work with them

A spokesman for Zippos Circus confirmed Jackie Armstrong, pictured in a different show, fell during the 6pm performance of Cirque Berserk at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Mother-of-one Ms Armstrong, 35, is a highly-experienced performer 

Staff quickly rushed to help the artist, called Jackie Louise Armstrong, 35, after she didn't get up. The tent was cleared of shocked audience members. Pictured: Stock image of Winter Wonderland

Ms Armstrong, from Kent, was taken to hospital but her condition is not known at this time.

The 35-year-old graduated from Christchurch University in Canterbury with a degree in theatre studies before joining Zippos as an aerialist.

In 2011 she met Valter Jonas, 33, a motorcycle stunt rider when he joined Zippos as part of the 'globe of death' act - in which motorbikes zoom around a spherical cage.

The two are now engaged and have a one-year-old baby girl, who they regularly take to work with them. 

In an interview with the Daily Record earlier this year, Ms Armstrong said: 'The circus is one big family so it's a great place to raise children.' 

Ms Armstrong was taken to hospital after the accident 

After last night's horror accident, a witness told The Sun Online: 'It was horrific. I thought it was part of the act but when she didn't get back up I knew something was wrong.

'A group of people ran on to help her and people were shouting for a paramedic.

The person added: 'I thought I heard her scream or wail, so hopefully she is conscious.

'But it looked terrible. People in the audience were coming out crying. There were quite a lot of kids as well.'

Paramedics are understood to have gone into the tent as the audience was clearing out.   

In the interview earlier this year, Ms Armstrong said she and her husband-to-be were unfazed by their dangerous careers. 

She said: 'Before having Lexie, a lot of people did say to me that becoming a parent often gives you a fear of doing things that you were happy to do before.

'For my act, I am 11 metres up in the air with two loops I hang from. I swing across the stage, I hang from my feet, elbows and neck, I spin around and I drop and catch.

'For Valter's act, he is one of five guys on motorbikes who ride around in what is known as the Globe of Death.

'Thankfully neither of us feel different about our jobs since becoming parents. We respect what we do is dangerous but we aren't afraid. We love bringing up our daughter in the circus.'

A spokesman for Zippos Circus confirmed an artist fell during the 6pm performance of Cirque Berserk at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. 

They added: 'The female British artist, Jackie Armstrong, performs an aerial act and is a highly experienced circus artist with 10 years in the ring. 

'Jackie was immediately attended to on the scene by first aiders and an ambulance called. She was taken to hospital by ambulance and further information on the nature of her injuries is awaited. 

'Immediately following the incident, audience members were asked to leave the Big Top and offered tickets for the next performance that evening. 

Trapeze artist Ms Armstrong is pictured here balancing on a cloud swing from a balcony of the Grand Hotel on Brighton sea front on August 18, 2012

The incident occurred at the Zippos Christmas Circus Show at 6pm, during a performance of Cirque Beserk. Pictured, Ms Armstrong

Ms Armstrong is engaged to Valter Jonas, 33, a motorcycle stunt rider with Zippos as part of the 'globe of death' act - in which motorbikes zoom around a spherical cage

Circus Founder and Director Martin Burton told MailOnline: 'Jackie is a very experienced artist whom we value dearly as part of our circus family. 

'Clearly we are concerned and offering her and her family our full support and sympathy at this time.

'At this stage we cannot comment further as we have no information on any injuries she may have sustained.'

In an update on Monday, a spokesman for Zippos Circus confirmed Jackie Armstrong had undergone surgery.

They said: 'Zippos Circus aerialist, Jackie Armstrong, sustained a fracture to the base of her spine as a result of a 12ft fall during last nights’ performance of Cirque Berserk. 

'Jackie has successfully undergone surgery today and is recovering in hospital where doctors anticipate she will be back on her feet tomorrow and will make a full recovery.

'It is anticipated that Jackie will be discharged from hospital either tomorrow (Tuesday) or Wednesday when she will return to her home at Zippos Circus to recuperate.

'Zippos Circus and Jackie’s family would like to thank the paramedics who attended on site and the medical staff at the hospital who have taken exceptional care of her.'

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