Swings removed after another child is injured

By [cawhite]

CONTROVERSIAL swings have been removed from two Grimsby parks after yet another accident.

Eleven-year-old Shane Downey suffered a broken leg after being hit by the swing in the Duke Of York Gardens on the West Marsh.

It comes after the Grimsby Telegraph reported two incidents last year in which children broke their arms after falling from the swing, leading to calls for it to be removed.

Following this latest injury, North East Lincolnshire Council has taken it down while it carries out an investigation.

A similar swing in Weelsby Woods has also been removed after an incident in which a woman broke her arm.

Shane's mum Dawn believes the swing was an accident waiting to happen.

She said: "The swing is like a big dome and I think it's far too heavy, especially when there are a lot of children sitting on it.

"He saw the swing come towards him and he put his foot up to stop it. My son is 11, but what if a toddler ran out?"

Shane, who spent 17 days in hospital, said: "I play in the West Marsh Fair Play League and the injury means I'm not going to be able to play football for about a year now, which is sad.

"I think the swing is very dangerous and I think it is good that they have removed it."

Paul Thornton, who regularly takes his children to the park, said: "I can't believe it was allowed there in the first place and it shouldn't be allowed back.

"It was dangerous for kids and, unless used under constant supervision, it shouldn't be allowed."

Glenn Greetham, head of neighbourhood operations at NELC, said: "I want to reassure the family and the wider community that the council is undertaking a full investigation in to this incident.

"As a precautionary measure, until a full investigation has been completed to identify the causes of the accident, the two items of play equipment currently installed within the Duke Of York Gardens and Weelsby Woods have been removed from use."