Schoolgirl thrown from seat and grandmother injured in playground drama
A schoolgirl was thrown from her seat and her grandmother hurt after a playground swing collapsed, it has been revealed.
The accident happened in The Croft in Aldridge when the top bar of a set of swings fell hitting the lady while she was pushing her granddaughter.
Paramedics rushed to the scene where the woman, believed to be in her 50s, where she lay on the ground in pain.
Walsall Council is now conducting safety checks at all playground equipment across the borough after the 'freak accident' on Monday.
The playground in The Croft was closed off by council staff who removed the debris of the swing.
Ivan Fisk, whose wife and son were in the park at the time, said the woman the child narrowly avoided serious injury or even death.
He said: "The bar crashed down hitting the Grandmother in the back knocking her to the ground and luckily missed the five-year-old little girl.
"Had this hit the lady or the child on the head it could have resulted in death. The lady stayed down and the child was hysterically upset.
"I realise that my son could have been on that swing and the thought makes me shudder."
Walsall Council said the play area would remain closed and that safety checks were regularly carried out.
Councillor Anthony Harris, portfolio holder for leisure and culture, said: "We're aware of this incident, responded immediately and made contact with the lady at the earliest opportunity this morning.
"It's terribly unfortunate that this occurred in one of our play areas and I wish her and her granddaughter a speedy recovery.
"It was reported to us just after 4pm on Monday and one of our rangers, together with our maintenance team investigated the matter and made the area safe.
"As soon as we were notified of the incident, we sealed off the play area and have begun an inspection of all similar pieces of kit across the borough. The manufacturer has also been contacted.
"Inspections are regularly undertaken and recorded at various levels of intensity in line with European Standards. There were no signs of vandalism, however, and it appears that it was a freak accident.
"The play area remains closed until all safety repairs are made."
West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed the grandmother was treated for 'left-sided' injuries and was discharged at the scene.
