A stunned dad has told of how he tried to save a young boy when he plummeted from the sky in a freak zorb ball accident.
The child, aged nine, remains in hospital after suffering 'multiple serious injuries' at Southport Food and Drink Festival when the inflatable ball he was playing in was swept into the air by a sudden gust of wind.
Merseyside Police confirmed another child inside an inflatable ball was left unharmed in the incident on Sunday.
Paul Holmes was among the onlookers who rushed to help the boy after watching the shocking accident unfold, and shared how he frantically tore open ball before taking him to safety.
The 43-year-old had been enjoying the festival with his family when he noticed a quick breeze, and looked around to see two zorb balls in the sky.
Describing the panicked scene, he told the LiverpoolEcho: "We were just stood next to the zorb pit looking for something to eat. There was a breeze quite quick and I just said 'oh that breeze is nice'.
"In my peripheral vision I saw two of the zorb balls go up into the sky and I just screamed at the top of my voice 'there's a kid in one of those balls, someone catch him.'
"The minute I shouted 'there's a boy in the sky' the staff at the inflatable place were quick to get all of the kids out of the remaining balls in the pit.
"I don't know if the parents jumped in or just the staff but they were quick taking them out of the remaining balls. One of the zorb balls didn't go that high and landed.
He said the inflatable containing the boy was "probably 15-20 metres" high after being "whipped" up into the sky, and said the sudden impact resembled a freak weather phenomenon.
Paul said he was running around trying to work out where the ball was going to land in a bid to catch it, but he missed it due to a gust of wind. He said: "Me and another gentleman were just in a mad panic trying to rip open the zorb to try and get to the little boy.
"Everyone wants to help naturally, I just screamed to everyone 'do not move this boy.'
Paul ran into the marquee and onto the stage where a singer was performing.
He said: "I stopped them straight away and said someone shout for help we need urgent medical attention, there's been a major incident around the back."
Photographs and videos shared elsewhere show the park packed with visitors as emergency services work to treat the child.
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 statement from a force spokesperson said: "At around 2pm on Sunday 4 June, it was reported that a nine-year-old boy had sustained significant injuries at an outdoor festival in Victoria Park, on Rotten Row.
"The boy was inside an inflatable zorb ball on a lake, which was unexpectedly raised into the air before it landed on the grass.
"A second zorb ball containing another child was also raised at the same time, but thankfully this child was unharmed.
"The nine-year-old was taken to hospital by air ambulance for treatment to his injuries. He remains in hospital at this time."
Police are now appealing for anyone who may have captured images or videos of the incident to get in touch to help us establish the circumstances of what happened.
Anyone with images or videos can send them using the incident web page, while those with information can DM @MerPolCC on Twitter or contact @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 596.
