Metallica Issues Statement About Onstage Child/Balloon-Kicking Incident

At a recent Metallica show in Sydney, Australia, guitarist Kirk Hammett was kicking giant beach balls around the stage while playing "Seek and Destroy" when he accidentally kicked one of those balls into the face of a little girl who was near the stage and sent her falling backwards.  The incident was captured on video and has been posted all over the Internet.  Now, the band have issued a statement to clear up any misinformation about the unfortunate kick. 

In a post on their official website, the band writes that the little girl "is the daughter of the stage manager and dressing coordinator, who are fortunate to travel as a family on this tour."  While the girl did get hit in the face, the band says she "wasn't hurt. She didn't go 'flying several feet into the audience.'  And Kirk and she remain good buddies."  So now you know.

Watch footage of the incident below.