‘Mini tornado’ sends boy inside inflatable bubble soaring through sky

Human Interest

By Emily Lefroy

June 7, 2023 | 4:55pm

Police are investigating a freak accident involving a boy who was catapulted 20 feet into the air after a mini-tornado crossed his path.

The heart-stopping incident happened June 4 while the boy was playing inside of an inflatable “zorb” ball, at a food and wine festival in Southampton, UK.

The 9-year-old was seriously injured by the phenomenon, reported the Liverpool Echo, and is under close medical observation.

The weather pattern is known as a “dust devil.” According to the National Weather Service, the vortex of dirt may reach heights of 1,000 feet and travel between 10 and 300 feet, dissipating after just a few minutes.

A witness, Paul Holmes, said he was at the festival at the time and rushed to the boy at the moment he took off into the air.

The 43-year-old Southport resident told the Echo that he counted two zorb balls flying in his peripheral vision.

“I just screamed at the top of my voice ‘there’s a kid in one of those balls, someone catch him,’ ” he said. “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.”

Police say the boy is in serious but stable condition at a local hospital.

A spokesperson for the area’s city council issued a statement, reported by several local outlets, which read: “We can confirm that an air ambulance was called to Victoria Park, Southport, this afternoon (Sunday 4 June) 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.”