A young boy who was swept into the air in a freak accident involving an inflatable ball at the Southport Food and Drink Festival suffered multiple serious injuries.
The nine-year-old was injured when the inflatable "zorb" ball he was in was blown into the air by a gust of wind shortly before 2pm today, Sunday June 4.
Festival-goers in Victoria Park watched on in horror as the inflatable ball was suddenly taken high up into the air with the boy inside.
READ MORE: Festival horror as 9-year-old boy in inflatable zorb ball swept up into the air
Police and ambulance services were called, and the boy was treated at the scene before being air-lifted to hospital.
A North West Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "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."
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