A horrifying video has captured the moment a nine-year-old boy was flung 20 feet into the air while inside an inflatable zorb ball.
Merseyside Police has urged anyone who captured images or video of the incident at Southport Food and Drink Festival on Sunday, June 4, to get in touch to help them establish the circumstances of what happened. One video shows the youngster suddenly being hurled in the air, before violently dropping from a height, reports the Liverpool ECHO.
Witnesses said the ball was swept up by a "freak weather phenomena". The clip, which has been viewed more than 5,000 on social media, starts out with two children playing inside separate zorb balls.
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Moments later, a third zorb ball comes into view and flies through the sky above trees and the pool below. A staff member can be seen running towards the inflatable as it lands in the distance.
The nine-year-old was airlifted to hospital with multiple injuries after the incident and was described as being in a serious but stable condition. The company behind the zorb ball attraction said they wish the boy a "rapid recovery" and are currently assisting with multi-agency investigations over this "terrible freak incident."
A separate video also emerged earlier this week, which appeared to show a whirlwind outside Victoria Park. Many people have commented on the video describing the weather phenomenon as a 'dust devil'; a strong, well-formed and relatively short-lived whirlwind.
In a statement on Sunday, Merseyside Police said it was appealing for information after a child was seriously injured at the festival. A police spokesperson said: "We are now appealing for anyone who may have captured images or videos of the incident to please get in touch to help us establish the circumstances of what happened.
"To send us any images or videos, please use the following link: https://unitedkingdom1cpp-portal.digital-policing.co.uk/merseyside/appeal/incident-at-victoria-park."
If you have any information, DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 596.
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