A nine-year-old boy was injured after an inflatable Zorb ball he was in was lifted into the air by a gust of wind.
According to reports, the boy was in the ball on a pool of water at the Southport Food and Drink Festival on Sunday afternoon when the gust picked it up at around 2 pm.
First aiders treated the boy and then taken by air ambulance to the hospital from the festival at Victoria Park.
Merseyside Police said he had been seriously injured, but his injuries were not life-threatening.
One witness told the Liverpool Echo: “It was pretty breezy, then suddenly, 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.”
According to some reports, the inflatable reportedly burst upon landing.
Merseyside Police confirmed it had attended the event following reports that a child had been seriously injured.
“At around 2 pm, it was reported that a nine-year-old boy had sustained injuries at an outdoor festival in Victoria Park, on Rotten Row,” the force said.
“He has been taken to hospital by air ambulance for reception of his injuries, which are not life-threatening.
“Emergency favour remain at the scene while the circumstances of this incident are established.”
Sefton Council said the event had stayed open after a health and safety investigation: “Our thoughts are with those implicated in the accident, and we wish them a full recovery.”
A nine-year-old youth has been airlifted to hospital after being seriously injured when an inflatable zorb he was in got caught by a gust of wind and flew high up into the air before plunging back down to the ground.
Emergency services were called to Southport Food and Drink Festival at Victoria Park at around 2 pm on Sunday, and the child was taken away by air ambulance for medical treatment.
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 inflated simultaneously, but this child was unharmed.
An eyewitness said: “There was a huge gust of wind out of nowhere, causing people’s umbrellas, drinks and plates to fly about, then the wind ramped up in a split second. They told Sky News: “One child was blown out of the pool, and the second just flew up in the air at approximately 100ft (30m) and then landed heavily – we didn’t see him land, but we saw him fly up.”
A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “First aid responders from St John Ambulance reacted quickly to assist the person involved before the arrival of other emergency services. Our thoughts are with those implicated in the accident, and we wish them a full recovery.”
Safety Concerns Arise as Zorb Lifted by Wind, Hurting Boy
Appeal for information: Merseyside Police are urging anyone who may have captured images or videos of the incident to get in touch to help establish the circumstances of what happened.
A nine-year-old boy sustained severe injuries after being lifted into the air by a hefty gust of wind while inside an inflatable zorb. The incident occurred during the Southport Food and Drink Festival at Victoria Park. The girl was airlifted to the clinic, and Merseyside Police confirmed his injuries were not life-threatening.
Sefton Council conducted a health and safety check, allowing the event to continue. A council spokesperson commended the quick response of first aid responders from St John Ambulance, who assisted the boy before the arrival of other emergency services. The council expressed their thoughts for those involved in the accident and wished them a full recovery.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police stated that emergency services remained at the scene while the circumstances of the incident were being investigated.
Wind Lifts Zorb, Injures Young Festivalgoer
Another witness said: “There was a gust of wind, and the inflatable zorb took off from the water pool with the boy inside. The zorb landed on a wheelie bin, and the zorb popped on impact, leaving the boy on the ground.”
They added: “Onlookers rushed over to help, and the PA announced an announcement for security and St Johns [Ambulance] to attend. They were on the scene inside a minute or so, and they were brilliant.”
On an otherwise still day, a “freak gust of wind” may have been responsible for the balls taking off into the air, the Echo reported.
Joanne Murray, who was at the festival with her husband, said: “I can’t believe I’ve just witnessed that; I witnessed it with my own eyes; there was a kid in that ball.”
Police are appealing for witnesses who captured images or video of the incident, which took place at about 2 pm.
In a statement, Merseyside police said: “A second zorb ball containing another child was also raised at the same time, but thankfully this child was unharmed.”
