Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Ethan, 3, is injured after rope incident
A MUM has today called for regular inspections of public play parks after her son was injured on play equipment.
Natasha Leggatt, 27, of Monifieth, had taken her son Ethan Dunn, 3, to the town’s Blue Seaway Park when he cut his leg on a frayed section of rope in the toddlers’ area.
Speaking to the Tele today, Natasha said she had been left “shocked” at what had happened. She said: “I couldn’t believe it. “Ethan had gone on the rope in the toddler area of the park and the next thing I knew he said to me, “Oh mummy my leg”.
“I looked down and I saw blood trickling from his left leg and he started crying.”
The barber, who works at Men Zone in Dundee, said: “When I looked at the red rope he had been climbing on it was frayed and the inner plastic lining was exposed so I knew he had cut himself on that.
“It looked like there had been a temporary patch-up job to the rope as it had black tape covering some of it.
“I immediately took Ethan to the toilet to clean the wound up, but by that point he was screaming because of the pain.
“As soon as we got home I cleaned the wound with antiseptic wipes. I was stunned at the size of the cut as it was running roughly from the top of his thigh right down to his knee.
“He was in agony trying bend his leg as a result of the injury.”
Natasha contacted Angus Council immediately after the incident as she was “terrified” another youngster might go through the same ordeal.
She said: “As soon as we got home I contacted the council to make them aware of the situation.
“They told me someone would be in touch.
“But I decided to highlight the situation online as I wanted to make as many parents aware as possible.”
Ethan’s ordeal hasn’t put Natasha off using the park.
She said: “It is a really good park and Ethan’s friends go there as well so we will continue to use it. I’d like to thank Councillor Craig Fotheringham as he was excellent in having the rope removed from the play area.
“I am a little disappointed at the lack of contact I have had from Angus Council since the accident, but Ethan is on the mend now.
“I’d urge the council to check on the playing apparatus more rigorously, especially in the summer when so many kids are using it.”
A spokesman for Angus Council said: “Play park equipment such as this is inspected every day during the popular summer months.
“We would also ask people to report any damage they see straightaway so we can make it safe, repair or renew it, and ensure the play equipment can be enjoyed by all the children.”