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Child in serious condition after fall from store escalator

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A child was transported to an Indianapolis hospital in serious condition Monday evening after falling from an escalator.

The Indianapolis Fire Department and Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services responded to the Burlington Coat Factory located at 5470 East 82nd Street shortly before 5 p.m.

Witnesses told medics that a 4-year-old boy fell approximately 40 feet from the second floor to the first floor over the escalator railing.

“I heard this sound that I can’t even describe. It was terrible I heard him hit the ground. In the process of falling, and then hit the ground. Like I said I just can’t describe the sound that it made. It was terrible..and I just saw him laying there. Completely lifeless on the floor,” said Auvon Chandler, a witness inside the store.

According to Chandler, the boy was running around the store playing with other children and then started riding up the side of the escalator when he fell.

Chandler told 24-Hour News 8 the boy looked to be unconscious for several minutes, then started to move slightly, and was in and out of consciousness until medics got there.

Shoppers gathered around the boy, called 911 and stayed with him until medics arrived.

The child was transported to Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health in serious condition.

Officials say minimal information about this incident is available due to the language barrier.

Burlington Coat Factory released the following statement Tuesday morning:“We are terribly saddened to learn of this incident. This is an active investigation and we are cooperating with authorities. Our thoughts are with the young boy and his family during this difficult time.”