A Missouri toddler has become the second child to get stuck inside the same claw machine at a sports complex, weeks after another toddler was trapped and needed rescue by firefighters.
The latest incident occurred at the Soccer Dome at Vetta Sports in Webster Groves, a suburb of St Louis. Ryan Campbell was watching his daughter play when he realised his three-year-old son Patrick had crawled into the arcade game.
When asked why he had climbed inside, Patrick simply replied, 'I get ball'. An adorable photo captured him standing inside the machine, peering out from where prizes are usually dropped, completely unfazed by his predicament.
His mother, Katie Campbell, told local media that Patrick's reaction was to smile and say 'cheese' for the camera. His two older sisters were unsurprised, with one saying, 'I knew Patrick was gonna get stuck in there.' Fortunately, Patrick's father was able to persuade him to climb out unharmed.
Several weeks earlier, a two-year-old boy named Cooper had become trapped in the same machine, requiring firefighters to attend. A firefighter described the incident as a 'first' and noted that Cooper was 'having an absolute ball'.
Patrick's family said they would return to watch his sister's games, but perhaps without Patrick. 'I don't know if Patrick will go this time,' his mother joked.
