Park gate sliced toddler's finger ‘like guillotine', says mother
A three-year-old boy had had part of his finger amputated after a park gate sliced it off 'like a guillotine', his mother said.
Tommy Warley was running ahead of his family when his limb got stuck in the entrance to Conduct Gardens in Eastleigh, Hampshire last Tuesday.
Ms Warley said that the gate moved backwards 180 degrees, trapping the three-year-old's finger as his mother, Rose-Marie, looked on in horror.
She said there was 'so much blood' and that her son began screaming as he realised what was happening.
The 34-year-old mother took her son to Southampton General Hospital where more than half of his middle finger on his right hand had to be amputated.
Now, Ms Warley is calling for Eastleigh Borough Council to change the gate to one with a 'safer closing mechanism'.
She said: 'There was so much blood everywhere, and his finger was attached to the gate.
'A neighbour had to wrap it in a tea towel and give it to us so we could take it to the hospital.
'Tommy was screaming, and we took him to Southampton General Hospital.
'[The gate] is a guillotine, and should have a stopping mechanism or a slow closure in place.
'I want the council to change the gates, and when they will do that, I don't know.'
'Things will be more difficult for him'
The mother added that her son is currently struggling to carry out activities before the shocking accident and it will have a 'long-term impact' on the young child.
'He loves playing with cars, being in sand and water, and playing football, and those things will be more difficult for him especially as he is right-handed,' she said.
'Having all your fingers helps with co-ordination and grip, but that is restricted for him now.
'Tommy also has special educational needs (SEND), so this will impact him in the long-term.'
'Very upsetting'
The council has since launched an investigation into the incident and said they were 'very sorry' to hear about the incident.
A spokesperson said: 'We're very sorry to hear that a young child was hurt at Conduct Gardens and understand this must be very upsetting for the family.
'We're in touch with them and are looking into exactly what happened.
'Council staff visited the site straight away and have made sure that the area is safe.'
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