Toddler plunges 15ft from church balcony

A TWO-YEAR-OLD fell 15ft from a church balcony in front of horrified families during a school leaving service.

The young girl was attending an end-of-term school service at St John’s Church in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, on Tuesday, when she plunged from the upper-floor balcony.

Shocked pupils, their families and guests who were attending the leaving service for Woodside Primary School’s primary seven pupils could only watch as she tumbled to the ground floor.

Miraculously, the girl only suffered minor injuries.

A parent sitting downstairs is believed to have rushed to the child’s aid at about 11am.

It is unclear how or why the toddler was upstairs or whether any adult was with her upstairs.

Ambulance crews rushed to the church and took the youngster to the hospital.

The entire school was in attendance, including parents of children leaving the school this week at the end of term.

Jim Gilhooly, executive director of Education Resources at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “The school and council are of course aware of this and our thoughts and best wishes go to the child and family, who must have been severely shaken by this incident. We wish them well.”

Reverend Joanne Hood, minister at St John’s Church in Hamilton, was conducting the service when the incident happened.

She said: “Our thoughts at St John’s are with the little girl and her family and we wish her a speedy recovery.

“I’m also thinking of the school staff, pupils and the wider community. I’m sure they will also be sharing our concern for the family.”