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Poppy Cooper's eye injured by railing hook at Calvin Klein store in Ashford Designer Outlet

A distraught mother is sending out a safety warning after her toddler’s eye was badly injured on a hook on the end of a clothing rail.

Two-year-old Poppy Cooper needed surgery on her eyelid after the horrific accident, which took place at the Calvin Klein store, at the Ashford Designer Outlet, in Kimberley Way.

Days later, she is still unable to open her eye, which is swollen and very sore.

Two-year-old Poppy Cooper's eye was injured on the hook
Two-year-old Poppy Cooper's eye was injured on the hook

Her mum, Jenny Cooper, said: “It doesn’t feel real if I’m honest.

“I have always been paranoid about the end of the railings.”

The accident happened on Saturday when Poppy, who was with her mum, dad Ryan and sister Emie, walked into the bottom row of rails, which were displaying underwear.

Her eyelid became stuck on the end of the hook and she started screaming immediately.

The clothing rail in Calvin Klein in Ashford, where the accident happened
The clothing rail in Calvin Klein in Ashford, where the accident happened

Mrs Cooper said: “The hook was under her eyelid. Her eyelid was the shape of the square bit. I pulled her but it was stuck.

“She was screaming and there was blood everywhere. My other daughter was in a state.”

Poppy was eventually released and an ambulance was called.

She was taken to A&E at Ashford’s William Harvey Hospital, where a scan revealed a cut inside her upper eyelid.

Poppy is now recovering
Poppy is now recovering

She stayed overnight and had surgery on Sunday.

Mrs Cooper said: “It is very swollen. I just wanted to swap places with Poppy. We cried all weekend.

“We are praying for the best.”

Now, Mrs Cooper, is calling for a review of the shop’s layout as she is concerned someone else could get hurt.

Two-year-old Poppy with mum Jenny and dad Ryan
Two-year-old Poppy with mum Jenny and dad Ryan

She said: “Walking towards the railings, you cannot see where the bar and hangers begin. I called the store on Monday to say I was worried and they said the were doing an incident report.

“They need rubber on the ends of the rails or something bright, so people can see where they start.”

A spokesman for Calvin Klein said: "We take these matters very seriously. We regret the incident and are working towards a resolution with the parties involved."


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