A ten-year-old boy has died, with several of his family members injured, after a sign fell on them at Birmingham Airport in Alabama.

Luke Bresette was taken to hospital and pronounced dead on arrival and his mother Heather is in a critical condition.

Two of Luke's siblings are being treated for less serious injuries.

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The arrivals and departures sign which fell on the family is estimated to weigh between 150 and 180kg.

Albert Osorio, 46, told the Associated Press that he heard a loud boom as the sign fell followed by the screams of the family and witnesses.

He said that it took him and five others to life the sign.

Osorio added: "The whole thing flipped down on those kids. It took all of us here to stand it up."

Airport spokeswoman Toni Herrera-Bast said staff at the airport didn't know why the sign fell from its position.