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Home Sittingbourne News Article
A mum claims her son is lucky to be alive after a large metal fence came crashing down on him.
It left 10-year-old Danny Stewart, of Beauvoir Drive, Kemsley, pinned to the ground at the nearby recreation ground in Grovehurst Avenue.
The accident happened when an unsecured 6ft panel, part of a partition surrounding a basketball court, fell on the youngster as he played with his mum, Clarice, 43, and younger brother, Alexander, seven.
He suffered a nasty cut by his right eye as well as bumps and bruises to his head.
His mum said his injuries could have been much worse.
She said: “My son could have been killed.
“It frightened the life out of me because you just don’t expect to find any dangers in public places like that.”
Mrs Stewart said she was alerted to her son’s peril when she heard him scream “help me, help me” moments after she had gone to retrieve a ball they were playing with.
She lifted the fence off him and was horrified to see the youngster’s face covered in blood.
Having taken him to be assessed at Maidstone Hospital, he was referred to East Grinstead where four stitches were inserted to the wound near his eye.
Mrs Stewart, who has five children, said Danny, a Kemsley primary pupil, missed two days' schooling due to his injuries.
He’s on the mend, but his mum remains upset that the incident gave him such a scare.
She said: “The panel had no bolts attached.
“I contacted Swale council who said they were aware there had previously been vandalism at the park.
“I want parents to know they should be on their guard in public parks and recreation grounds.
“Danny’s a very lucky boy, he could’ve lost an eye or even been killed.”
Cllr David Simmons, Swale’s cabinet member for environmental and rural affairs, said: “Our thoughts remain with the young child.
“Unfortunately, this site has been subject to vandalism in the past and while this incident is currently under investigation, it is likely that the cause is once again due to vandalism.”
Anyone with information on an attempt to steal metal bolts from a fence at the recreation ground should call Sgt Shona Lowndes on 01795 433015, quoting reference XY/010628/14.
