‘Insane’ moment boy plunges from escalator after playing with pal

A young boy is in critical condition after a horrifying fall from an escalator while playing with a friend.

Chilling CCTV footage captures the boy in a purple top messing around with his mate at the top of the escalator.

In a heart-stopping moment, he attempts to perch on the moving handrail despite his pal’s apparent efforts to stop him.

A woman nearby, who seems to be with the youngsters, dashes forward in a desperate bid to grab him but misses by mere moments.

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The boy sprawls across the handrail and horrifically topples over the edge. He plunges several storeys before crashing onto the hard floor below.

As the footage ends, the boy remains still on the ground, sparking fear and concern for his wellbeing. The terrifying incident unfolded at a shopping centre in Loudi City, Hunan Province, China, last Sunday (7 Jul).

After the gut-wrenching plunge, the boy was rushed to hospital in a grave condition, as per NeedToKnow’s report.

Locals have expressed their shock, with one commenting: “The fact nobody helped the boy when he fell down is insane.”

Another remarked on the chilling indifference of passersby: “Total apathy. No one bats an eyelid, they just walk past.”

Updates on his state have yet to be disclosed, whilst authorities are probing the distressing event.