This is the terrifying moment a nine-year-old boy was seen falling from the sky in 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.
A video has now emerged which appears to show the boy being hurled through the air in the inflatable. Witnesses said the ball was swept up by a "freak weather phenomena" which saw the boy catapulted 20ft in the air.
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The video, which has been viewed over 5,000 times on Twitter, begins with two children playing inside separate 'zorb' balls in a paddling pool. Moments later, a third 'zorb' ball comes into view, as it 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 they're 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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