A fundraiser has been set up after a boy was seriously injured in an inflatable zorb ball.
The nine-year-old was inside the inflatable when it was swept into the air by a gust of wind before landing on the grass at Southport Food and Drink Festival on Sunday, June 7. He was airlifted to hospital from Victoria Park with multiple serious injuries.
The boy's school Holy Family Primary in Southport has set up the page to help support his family. The school said they have been "inundated" with requests from members of the public asking how they can help.
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The Just Giving page said: "The little boy who was involved in the zorbing accident last month goes to our school. He's been in Alder Hey Hospital and had multiple operations. We want to help support the family while he recovers in as many practical ways as possible."
Witnesses at the Southport Food and Drink Festival said it was a "freak weather phenomena" which saw the boy catapulted 20ft in the air. A video appears to show a whirlwind outside Victoria Park, with many people commenting to say the weather phenomenon was a 'dust devil'; a strong, well-formed, and relatively short-lived whirlwind. They often form as a swirling updraft under sunny conditions during fair weather.
The company behind the zorb ball attraction said they wish the boy a "rapid recovery" and they're currently assisting with multi-agency investigations over this "terrible freak incident."
Louise Morton, Headteacher at Holy Family Primary said: “The entire school community continues to give its support to the family of one of our pupils who was involved in a horrible accident. Over the last few weeks, we have been inundated with queries from parents, guardians, and local businesses who want to know what they can do to support the family going forward.
"Due to the school receiving a considerable number of enquiries and following conversations with the pupil’s parents, we took the decision to launch a crowdfunding page for members of the public to contribute to should they wish to do so. We ask that the media continue to respect the family’s privacy at this time.”
If you would like to donate to the page click here.
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