Girl, 2, loses part of finger on supermarket escalator
A TWO-YEAR-OLD girl is in hospital after getting her hand stuck in a supermarket escalator.
Emergency services managed to free the girl's hand after being called to Biddulph's new Sainsbury's store.
It is understood the girl, who has not been named, has lost part of a finger in the incident.
The downward escalator was cordoned off for around 24 hours following the emergency.
Now Sainsbury's is investigating how the girl managed to get her hand trapped.
The firm is planning to send some toys to the youngster who is being treated at Derby City General Hospital.
Store manager Julie Hatton said: "We're very sorry that this happened in our store and we've started a full investigation to avoid this happening again.
"We've been in close contact with the family since the accident and will also be sending a teddy and some toys to cheer her up while she recovers."
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council is also investigating the accident, because it is responsible for health and safety in retail premises.
A council spokesman said: "Our food and safety team is aware of the incident and will be conducting an investigation.
"It is not possible to comment further at this stage."
Paramedics and fire crews were called to the store at around 7pm on Thursday.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We responded to reports of a young girl who had her hand trapped in an escalator.
"An ambulance, rapid response vehicle, incident support officer and a doctor were sent to the scene.
"The girl received treatment at the scene before being transported to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire."
A Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "A crew from Biddulph was sent to the supermarket after being contacted by the ambulance service.
"Firefighters arrived to find a two-year-old girl with her hand trapped in the escalator. She was released by firefighters."
Shoppers have been left horrified by the accident.
Nursery nurse Sharon Dale, aged 45, of Biddulph, said: "It is very sad and you just don't expect something like this to happen.
"It is always hard when you have young ones and you are out and about because sometimes they won't sit still and you have to watch them.
"There are reminders on the escalator to take care, but I have never heard of something like this happening before."
Retired writer Allan Smith, of Knypersley, said: "It is very sad for the child and you wouldn't wish that on anyone.
"You can't watch children 24/7.
"I hope she is OK and will make a quick recovery."
7 Comments
by L_A_U_R_A123
Thursday, January 19 2012, 8:21PM
“Maybe her parents should have been watching her more carefully? Accidents happen, it's a way of life.”
by audiegregory
Thursday, January 19 2012, 11:20AM
“To Jobeeone, I hope this elevator was checked out thoroughly, and the child is recovering now, I only mentioned my experience because my heel caught as I got onto the elevator, so naturally wondered if it had been checked out when I reported what happened, as the sandals were old I didn't make a fuss, and you are quite right about safety, I should have thrown them away when I thought they were too old to wear, but they were so comfortable! so I agree entirely with you, I live in a bungalow and taking your comments on board am now more conscious of what I wear on my feet.”
by bryanseenior
Wednesday, January 18 2012, 2:07AM
“Toys is This some sort of joke .Poor girl”
by ObidiahFudge
Tuesday, January 17 2012, 7:47PM
“I'm sure a teddy bear will be a wonderful substitute for a finger. Sorry for the little girl. Perhaps they could sue sainsburys and they will be so skint that they can't afford to destroy leek?”
by Jobeeone
Tuesday, January 17 2012, 7:11PM
“My mums always been scared of esculators and maybe rightly so. But to be honest more injuries and deaths happen on stairs in the home.
Poor mite and her mum must have been frantic. The engineers should either look harder for faults or make it clearer about the dangers on these moving stairs made of hard metal.
My job is safety in the home so I hope your slippers aren't as shoddy as your sandles. And don't use stairs as a shelf!!!!!”
by audiegregory
Tuesday, January 17 2012, 1:07PM
“I caught the heel of my old sandals on th bottom of this escalator and it ripped it off, I reported to the store, I know they were old sandals, which I told them about, and I then had to buy a pair of shoes in the store to wear as I had then nothing on my feet, but I wonder why it happened. Hope this little girl is recovering, it must have been very traumatic.”
by WebMonkey1
Tuesday, January 17 2012, 11:21AM
“Poor lass. what a terrible shame. She's still young and will adapt, but really feel for the poor child.”