A 13-year-old boy had to be rescued after he climbed inside a claw machine while trying to steal a toy at an amusement park, but then got stuck.
The teenager was trapped inside the machine for 17 minutes, amid the plush toys, at the Carowinds amusement park on Saturday, Courtney C. McGarry Weber, the park's spokesperson, said, according to The Associated Press and local media reports. Amusement Rides
Weber added that the boy was trying to steal toys from inside the machine, known as the Cosmic XL Bonus Game.
ABC7 News obtained a photo of the teenager stuck in the machine:
According to Elaut, the game's manufacturer, the claw machine is just under 10 feet tall and five feet wide.
The unnamed boy was ultimately freed by the parks' medical personnel, and given first aid, before being returned to his guardian, Weber said.
He's now been banned from the park for a year for attempted theft, the spokesperson added.
Pendulum Ride The park said in its statement that "the safety and security of our guests and associates is Carowinds' top priority," WBTV reported.