Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, has condemned the sharing of a harrowing video relating to an injured child.

Sickening

He said: “It is sickening enough to learn this video is being shared on social media and via messaging apps but to see supposedly reputable media organisations making it available for wider viewing is reprehensible.

"My thoughts are first and foremost with the young boy who was injured in this shocking accident and his family, who are obviously distraught and upset enough.

"To now be further faced with these despicable and gross acts of shameless publicity is frankly vile. 

On record

"I want to put on record my condemnation of Reach PLC and the Liverpool Echo for taking the editorial decision to share this footage although I am pleased that they have now removed the story.

"I sincerely hope others will join me in jointly calling on other media outlets which , sadly, have taken the decision to share the footage and in one case at least still pictures captured from it, to do the right thing and remove this video from their platforms as well.

"Sefton Council has not been made aware of these decisions to publish this footage and had we been, we would have strongly urged them to reconsider.

Correct decision

"I would like to thank the number of responsible and creditable media agencies who have taken the correct decision to not publish this footage. 

"Sefton Council continues to offer its full support to the family involved, as well as the business who are also affected by this deeply upsetting accident."

Merseyside Police have appealed for information after Sunday’s incident.

You can use this link to contact them about any images or video footage you may have captured of what happened.