A nine-year-old boy has been injured after a terrifying accident at the Southport Food and Drink Festival when the inflatable 'zorb' ball he was in was carried into the air.
The boy was injured when the inflatable was blown away by "a freak gust of wind" shortly before 2pm today, Sunday June 4.
Festival-goers watched on in horror as the inflatable ball was suddenly taken high up into the air with the young boy inside. Onlookers rushed over to help as an announcement called for security and St John's Ambulance staff to attend the scene. They arrived soon after and began to administer emergency first aid.
Police and ambulance services, including an air ambulance, were called to the scene and the child was taken away to hospital, where he is being treated.. His injuries are not life-threatening, police said.
READ MORE: Live updates as boy injured in accident at food and drink festival
An eyewitness said: "It was quite breezy then all of the sudden there was a gust of wind. It (the inflatable ball) went over the trees and we thought it was a balloon at first before we realised it was one of the inflatables with a child inside and it landed right over there."
Another witness said: "There was a gust of wind, the inflatable zorb took off from the water pool with the boy inside. The zorb then landed on a wheelie bin, the zorb popped on impact, leaving the boy on the ground."
They added: "On lookers rushed over to help, the PA put an announcement out for security and st johns to attend. They were on the scene within a minute or so. They were brilliant, took control of the situation and remained calm.
"A few minutes later the air ambulance circled for somewhere to land, at the same time the rapid response and main ambulance turned up."
The North West Ambulance Service has confirmed that the boy suffered 'multiple serious injuries' in the incident. A spokesperson added: "We were called at 1.56pm today. We did attend with an ambulance, a senior clinician and an air ambulance.
"A patient has been air-lifted to hospital with multiple serious injuries. They arrived at the hospital around 3pm."
Merseyside Police said the boy's injuries were not life-threatening.
A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “We can confirm that an Air Ambulance was called to Victoria Park, Southport this afternoon (Sunday, June 4) following an accident within the grounds.
“First aid responders from St Johns Ambulance reacted quickly to provide assistance to the person involved prior to the arrival of other emergency services.
“Following the incident a full health and safety inspection has been undertaken at the Southport Food and Drink Festival and the event remains open to the public.
“Our thoughts are with those involved in the accident and we wish them a full recovery.”
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm we are currently in attendance in Southport following reports that a child had been seriously injured.
"At around 2pm, it was reported that a nine-year-old boy had sustained injuries at an outdoor festival in Victoria Park, on Rotten Row.
He has been taken to hospital by air ambulance for treatment to his injuries, which are not life threatening.
"Emergency services remain at the scene while the circumstances of this incident are established."
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