A young boy has gone viral after becoming stuck in an antique barrel and having to be rescued.

News of the unusual incident was posted to Facebook by journalist Nick Beres on May 2 in a post accompanied by a series of photographs of the dramatic rescue.

Beres explained that Lance and Kelly Strubing got in touch to say that they'd recently had to take their two-and-a-half-year-old son, Dorian, to the ER for a particularly bizarre reason: he'd crawled into an antique barrel at his grandparents' house and got stuck.

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His family had no option but to take him to Tristar Emergency in Portland, Tennesse, while he was still in the barrel.

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Thankfully, with the help of his teddy bear and the staff at the hospital, it wasn't long before Dorian was freed.

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The process was a delicate one, and before he could be freed, the barrel was X-rayed to see exactly how he was positioned before its bottom was cut away.

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Writing on Facebook, the Portland Fire Department said: "Engine 2 was called for assistance at the Portland ER to help extricate a small child from a wooden barrel. After working with the staff at the hospital and Sumner County EMS, the child was safely extricated.

"Afterwards, the parents asked the crew to even sign the barrel. Great job by everyone involved!"

Reacting to the unusual story, one Facebook user wrote: "Great story he didn't seem to be concerned that he was stuck he is cute. I am sure his parents were very concerned but in a way it is funny."

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A second added: "It is rather funny but not. It is wonderful the outcome and the precious child is smiling. The signed barrel will be a conservation piece for sure.

"I know a family, their son who was probably around the same age, got his hand (maybe arm too) stuck in the hole to connect a camper on the bed of a pickup truck. The truck had to be cut to free him. It can be rather scary too."

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A third added: "Oh my word! As a parent I would have been terrified but so thankful that everything worked out [sic]."

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Meanwhile, a fourth added: "If I didnt know better and they weren't at a hospital I would have mistaken a few of these for a cute little photo shoot. Thankful they got him out!"

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Have you ever got stuck somewhere unusual?

Featured image credit: Pexels / Elevate

Young boy rescued after getting stuck in an antique barrel