NEEDLE TERROR FOR GIRL, ON CITY BUS
Youngster rushed to hospital after syringe stick injury on seat
A THREE-YEAR-OLD girl has been taken to hospital after she was jagged by an uncapped syringe on a city bus.
The tot was injured by the needle after she placed her hand on it on a seat of a number 61 bus in Summerston.
A probe has been launched by both First Glasgow and Police Scotland who are reviewing CCTV to find the person responsible for dumping the needle.
A YOUNG girl has been pricked by an uncapped syringe on a Glasgow bus.
The three-year-old girl was rushed to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow after the incident on board the number 61 bus in Summerston yesterday afternoon.
The Evening Times understands that the youngster, who was with her mum, was jagged by the needle as she placed her hand on the seat to get off the bus. At least two other needles were spotted behind the seat on the service.
Passenger Jacqui Gallacher 48, from Summerston, comforted the girl and her mother as emergency services were called to the scene at Rothes Drive near Asda.
The grandmother, who was with her 20-month-old granddaughter Mhiryim at the time, said: “It is an absolute disgrace.
“The wee girl’s hand was pierced. The driver phoned the depot who advised him to call the police.”
She added: “I am actually a recovering addict myself and I have lived in the grips of addiction.
“I am clean now, I went to rehab and got my life together. I would have never ever have done that during my addiction.
“It just shocked me being an addict myself and in recovery that someone could do that. It made me sick to my stomach.”
MSP Bob Doris has slammed those responsible and said the incident shows the need for a supervised drugs consumption facility in the city.
He said: “I am absolutely shocked and alarmed that a child has been jagged by a discarded needle on a public bus in my constituency. This must be a worrying time for the family. There is simply no excuse for using a bus to injects drugs, let alone discarding needles on the bus in such a dangerous and haphazard way.”
He added: “I am contacting both First Glasgow and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to try and secure some urgent action to ensure buses are safe for the travelling public and that vulnerable drug users are signposted for support.
“Whilst we have no idea as to how or why the needles were discarded in this way, it will certainly once more highlight the need for a supervised drugs consumption facility for intravenous drug users.”
A Police Scotland spokeswoman confirmed the force was investigating the incident.
John Gorman, Head of Operations for First Glasgow, said: “I can confirm that we are currently conducting an internal investigation into an incident that occurred on our 61 service on Monday aftermoon.
“We will assist Police Scotland with any inquiries into the incident provide them with anything they need to aid with catching those responsible for this horrible act including the CCTV that was available on the bus at the time of the incident.
“I would like to praise our driver for his swift actions and professional handling of this incident.
“Our thoughts are with the family after such a traumatic experience.
“Incidents of this nature are extremely rare on our services, and the safety of our staff and passengers is of paramount importance to us.”