Eagle tries to carry off Australian boy

A wedge-tailed eagle tried to fly away with a terrified boy at a popular wildlife show in central Australia.

A crowd of stunned onlookers watched the enormous bird latch its talons on to the screaming boy's head during a show at Alice Springs Desert Park.

Witnesses said the bird attempted to pick him up "like a small animal".

The boy - believed to be between six and eight years old - escaped with a "superficial" gash to his face.

Christine O'Connell from Horsham in Victoria state was visiting the park with her husband on 6 July when the attack occurred.

She told the BBC the eagle flew straight for the boy from about 15m away.