Horror at school gate for danielle

8:32pm Thursday 24th July 2008

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SCHOOLGIRL Danielle Biggs had to have part of her finger amputated after she trapped it in a vandalised gate.

The nine-year-old was playing in Fynamore Park in Calne when the accident happened.

Her mother, Maria Biggs, 38, of Isis Close, said: “Danielle was at her aunt’s home playing when she went to leave the playground area.

“She trapped her finger and the tip of it was sliced clean off by some metal that was sticking out of the gate.

“She was hysterical and started screaming. There was blood everywhere. Obviously she knew something was happening but because she is so young she didn’t understand exactly what was going on.

“She was incredibly distressed.”

Danielle, who attends Fynamore School, was taken to Swindon’s Great Western Hospital.

“She was lucky in a way that it wasn’t more serious but I don’t think she sees it like that,” said her mum. “Every time her hand hurts or she looks at her finger she remembers what happened and starts crying.

“Her hand will never look the same again and she is terrified she will get teased at school.”

Mrs Biggs, who has two older sons, said the gate had been vandalised but North Wiltshire District Council had done nothing to make sure it was safe for children to use.

She said: “When I called the council to tell them about the accident and ask them to take the gate down, at first they said they had to carry out a full assessment and they couldn’t remove the gate because of health and safety.

“But eventually they took the gate down and put some padding up. It is devastating that it tales an accident like this for them to do something.

“I know the council could have other gates like this in the area and it could happen to a much younger child and cause more damage.”

A North Wiltshire District Council spokesman said: “North Wiltshire District Council deeply regrets the injury that has been sustained by the young girl.

“The incident is being investigated and details have been passed to the council’s insurance firm.”