This is the shocking moment a child fell 40ft from a moving ski lift in China.

Holidaymakers spotted the youngster in a pink suit hanging from the ascending cable car chair at a resort in Zhangjiakou, Hebei, on January 8.

Footage shows the young girl battling to hold on before losing her grip. Shen then dropped around 40ft (12m) through the air towards the snow-covered pine trees below.

Upon seeing this, witnesses and slop staff helped to retrieve the girl. The emergency services then transported the victim to the hospital.

Local media reported that she did not sustain any serious injuries from the fall and had been cushioned by the tree branches and the soft snow at the Genting Resort Secret Garden.

The filmer 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.'

Local media reported that the youngster was having skiing lessons. 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.

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.