Boy, 10, falls from escalator in St Stephen's shopping centre

A BOY was rushed to hospital after a horror plunge from an escalator in a busy shopping centre.

The 10-year-old youngster is believed to have been hanging off the side of the escalator when he fell to the floor at St Stephen's in Ferensway, city centre, at about 1.30pm yesterday.

Ambulance staff arrived at the scene outside the 3 mobile phone shop within minutes and took over from first-aiders, who had rushed to the boy's side from the centre and nearby Tesco store.

Orange safety barriers were erected around the boy to allow paramedics to treat him.

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Although it was later confirmed he had managed to escape serious injury, the boy's neck was placed in a brace and he was moved onto a stretcher before he was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary by ambulance.

One shopper said: "I was heading towards Tesco when I heard this really loud bang, more like a sickening thud than anything.

"At first, I thought something had hit, but not smashed, a plate glass window.

"There was a crowd gathering at the foot of the escalator leading up to the Starbucks coffee shop.

"As I was walking past, I saw a little boy lying on the ground.

"He looked like he was lying exactly where he'd fallen, face first."

St Stephen's centre manager Jim Harris said the boy's father confirmed he had not sustained serious injuries but underwent a precautionary X-ray on his ankle.

Mr Harris said steps will be taken to ensure the situation does not happen again.

He said: "We have deterrent guides on the side of the escalators to try to stop people doing that.

"We have never had anybody get that far up the escalator and fall off while I have been here.

"We like to ensure the centre is as safe as possible. But, occasionally, we have times like this. We learn from all these things and we will be putting measures in place to make sure it doesn't happen again.

"We had a very positive conversation with the young man's father, who said luckily there were no major injuries, but as a precaution they were X-raying his ankle at the hospital."

The boy is believed to have been with three friends when he fell.

Mr Harris said: "As far as we can see, we had four lads using the escalator at about 1.30pm.

"One, it would appear, decided to use the wrong side of the escalator and fell off about halfway up.

"He dropped down onto the bench and onto the floor of the centre.

"Full marks to the local shop staff.

"We had first-aiders with him as soon as possible and the ambulance service responded quickly.

"We wish him all the best for a speedy recovery."

A spokeswoman for Yorkshire Ambulance Service confirmed a call was received at 1.31pm.

A rapid responder attended before paramedics took the boy to Hull Royal Infirmary.