Angry mum blasts toy gun centre as son hurt
AHORRIFIED mum is demanding a toy gun activity centre improve its safety after an oil drum fell on her son, leaving him needing surgery.
Sousanne Walton, 36, says the heavy barrel broke her son Finley’s finger as he lay on the floor and missed his head ‘by inches’ at Stockport Nerf Centre, in Bredbury.
Finley, seven, was taken to hospital where he had an operation on his snapped finger.
He is waiting to find out if he needs more surgery to insert wire into the injured digit.
Sousanne says he was informed he could climb on netting around the barrels but upon doing so it came loose and the contents crashed down on him.
But Darren Palmer, owner of the centre, says a safety talk before the games and highly visible signs inside make it very clear this is not allowed.
Sousanne said: “I heard a loud crash and when I saw it was Finley doubled over in pain I was hysterical. Then his hand started swelling and deforming in front of my eyes.
“It was absolutely shocking and I am disgusted that it happened. I’m just thankful my little boy is so brave,
“He was told he could go on the netting but even if he wasn’t children will be children so the centre needs to take responsibility for the drums being safe.
“They need to look at this seriously and take action. I don’t want this to happen to another child, it was very close to landing on Finley’s head, then it would have been a different story.”
Sousanne, a bank worker from Failsworth, had taken Finley and his friend to the centre on Saturday, January 21.
North West Ambulance Service confirmed it was called to the centre to reports of a seven-year-old with an injured hand but turned back when he found alternative transport to hospital.
Nerf guns fire foam bullets and can be used for activities similar to paintballing for all ages.
Mr Palmer said: “Before people go in there is a safety talk they must listen to explaining the rules, one of which is don’t climb on anything.
“We always have marshals inside, he started climbing on a drum and was told to get down. Instead he jumped into the scenery taking the drum with him.
“We have had 7,500 guests come in without incident, every guest is - on arrival - told to sit down and listen to the safety talk.”