Shocking footage has captured the moment a "mini tornado" swept through a festival — leaving a boy injured after he was swept up inside a zorb ball.
The clip shows the "freak weather phenomena" outside Victoria Park, where a boy was seriously injured when an inflatable zorb ball he was playing in was blown away by a gust of wind.
Witnesses at the Southport Food and Drink Festival claimed the boy catapulted 20ft in the air shortly before 2pm on Sunday, June 4.
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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."
Many people have commented on the video describing the weather phenomenon as a 'dust devil' – a strong, well-formed and relatively short-lived whirlwind.
They often form as a swirling updraft under sunny conditions during fair weather.
Paul Holmes, 43, said he was there at the time and rushed to help the boy as he explained to the Liverpool Echo: "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.
"The main zorb of concern I would say was probably 15 to 20 metres in the sky easily. The wind just whipped it up into the sky. It was like a bit of a freak weather phenomena."
Merseyside Police have since confirmed the boy remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Officers have also said they are aware of the footage, and it will form part of their investigation.
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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."
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