- The child was visiting Rural King, a farm supply store, with his parents Saturday
- Authorities said the child somehow slipped away and locked himself in gun safe
- It took first responders and a locksmith 30 minutes to free the eight-year-old
- Officials said the child was ‘physically fine’ but it’s unclear how he got in safe
An eight-year-old boy accidentally locked himself inside a gun safe at a mall in West Virginia.
The child was visiting the Mercer Mall in Blufield with his parents on Saturday afternoon when he slipped away inside the Rural King farm supply store.
Green Valley Volunteer Fire Department Chief David Thompson said the incident took place around 3pm.
An eight-year-old boy accidentally locked himself inside a gun safe at a mall in West Virginia. The child was visiting the Mercer Mall in Blufield with his parents on Saturday afternoon when he slipped away inside the Rural King farm supply store (pictured)
Authorities immediately called a locksmith to assist with the situation.
The locksmith was able to cut around the lock, allowing the fire department to use rescue spreaders to pull the lock out of the door.
In all, the child was inside the safe for around 30 minutes.
‘The child is physically okay, probably a little scared, but other than that, his well-being is excellent!’
Officials said it was fortunate that the safe was not completely air-tight, which allowed some oxygen to get in.
It’s unclear how the boy, who was under the supervision of his parents, got locked in the safe.
Officials said it was fortunate that the safe was not completely air-tight, which allowed some oxygen to get in. It’s unclear how the boy, who was under the supervision of his parents, got locked in the safe (file image)