Boy falls 30ft from ski lift in Pennsylvania

Video: Shocking video shows the moment a five-year-old boy fell from a chair lift in Pennsylvania

Officials in the US state of Pennsylvania says a five-year-old boy was taken to hospital after falling 30ft from a chair lift at a ski lodge near Philadelphia.

The incident reportedly took place on Saturday evening around 7pm at Spring Mountain Adventures in Schwenksville, Montgomery County.

Video of the event has emerged online, showing the terrifying moment the young boy was left dangling from the lift. He can be seen flapping his legs about as two people stand below him. Towards the end of the video, the boy can be seen falling and hitting the snow, with the two people below rushing to his aid.

According to reports, the owner of Spring Mountain Adventures, Rick Buckman, said the boy was alone in a seat on a beginner chair lift and wearing a helmet when he fell.

He was flown to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where officials have so far declined comment on his condition. However, one ski instructor spoke to WCAU-TV and said the boy seemed conscious and alert when medics arrived. Buckman added that he was told the child had a cut to his face and a possible leg injury. He said the chair lift had not malfunctioned.

Buckman told Philly.com that some five-year-olds do ride the chair lifts alone. "It's up to the parents or adults. Everybody knows their child and their abilities. There are children that age who ride lifts themselves, but it's not recommended."

He said that falls were rare and that in his 15 years at Spring Mountain, only two or three riders had suffered falls.