Video footage captured the horrifying moment a child dangled from the bottom of a ski lift at a holiday resort before falling 40ft into the snow-covered slope below.
Holidaymakers spotted the youngster dangling from an ascending cable car chair at Genting Resort Secret Garden in Zhangjiakou, Hebei.
Footage shows the young girl, dressed in a bright pink snowsuit, battling to hold on to the lift before losing her grip on January 8.
She then plunged around 40ft (12m) through the air towards the snow-covered pine trees below.
Witnesses and slope staff helped to retrieve the girl, who was having skiing lessons at the resort, before she was rushed to hospital.
Thankfully, she did not sustain any serious injuries from the fall, as local media reported she had been cushioned by the tree branches and the soft snow.
Holidaymakers spotted the youngster dangling from an ascending cable car chair at Genting Resort Secret Garden in Zhangjiakou, Hebei
One witness who filmed the incident said: ‘This is not the first time this has happened.
‘Parents and coaches should pay more attention to prevent this accident from happening.
‘The child is small and short, and it is easy to slide off the crossbar under her feet.’
There appeared to be three other people in the gondola with her at the same time but they did not notice her falling from the machinery.
She then plunged around 40ft (12m) through the air towards the snow-covered pine trees below
Ski lifts often have safety bars, footrests or ant-slip sears to prevent adults from falling out.
While some designs include safety measures to secure children, youngsters riding in larger cabins without the feature may be at risk of slipping.