Meltdowns and coping strategies

Hi all,

I apologise if this has already been posted previously, but I have had the day from hell and am looking for any advice at all that might help. My son is 7 and had a huge meltdown today- no trigger point that we could see at all. We were in a public place, and as per the norm of this day and age had an audience of onlookers. He was aggressive, screaming, punching, kicking, and we could not reason with him at all. He also kept running away, and the more we followed the faster he became.

Has anyone else experienced this? What would you do in this situation? We really didn't know what to do with him, and he is so strong that even trying to take his hand became a battle. Appreciate any response- I have had a very tear filled day since as I feel like such a parental failure.