10-year-old falls heavily during firefighters' open day: "He landed on his head"

A 10-year-old boy fell nearly eight meters and landed on his head during an open day marking the 150th anniversary of the Turnhout fire service in Belgium. Ezekiel had taken part in a rollover simulator before trying the zip line, an activity arranged for children at the weekend celebration.

His mother, Betty, filmed the incident. The video shows the boy stuck between two platforms while an employee tried to help him onto the other platform. Betty said the employee gave her son incorrect instructions and told him to press a lever. When he did, she said, he fell.

"Everything happened before my eyes. I saw my son end up in a very dangerous situation and suffer because of negligence. I cannot forget this incident," Betty said.

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Everything happened before my eyes. I saw my son end up in a very dangerous situation and suffer because of negligence. I cannot forget this incident.

Ezekiel was taken to hospital immediately. Doctors found no fractures or brain hemorrhage, and other examinations were normal. He remained hospitalized for observation.

The zip line did not receive any more children after the accident. An investigation will examine what happened and determine responsibility. Turnhout fire chief Gert Bax said staff provided the boy with the best care available and immediately contacted police so officers could document the incident and establish the facts.

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When the boy fell, we immediately provided him with the best care possible and took him to hospital. We also immediately contacted the police so they could make the necessary observations and establish the facts.