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24/06/2008
Teen Loses Legs In Swing Bridge Horror
A teenage girl has lost both her legs in an horrific swing bridge accident in Manchester.
Fifteen-year-old Jade Smethurst, from Abbey Hey, Gorton, got trapped between the swing bridge and a concrete bank.
She was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary before being transferred to Booth Hall Children's Hospital where her condition is said to be "comfortable".
She had both legs amputated below the knee following the accident on Friday.
It is reported that the teenager had been sitting on the end of the Yew Tree Swing Bridge, off Buxton Lane, Droylsden, with her legs dangling over the side, when it slammed shut, trapping her by the ankles.
It is understood her friends pushed the bridge open to free her before emergency services arrived at the scene.
The bridge over Ashton Canal is fixed at one end and opens like a gate, to permit barges to travel along the waterway.
Swing bridges are locked and should only be opened with a special key issued to boat owners. It is not clear why the Yew Tree bridge was unlocked.
British Waterways says that an investigation has been launched into the incident.
Police are treating the incident as "a tragic accident".
Jade's mother Wendy said "it is a nightmare we are going through and it's still a blank".
"We'd like to thank the emergency services, the doctors and nurses and her loyal friends who helped," she said.
It is reported that Jade has not realised the full impact of what has happened to her.
Jade is a pupil at Wright Robinson Specialist College and is preparing for mock exams.
Headteacher Neville Beischer said the had spoken to Jade's parents and they are "absolutely devastated". She said that Jade is "very popular" with staff and her peers.
(DS)
Fifteen-year-old Jade Smethurst, from Abbey Hey, Gorton, got trapped between the swing bridge and a concrete bank.
She was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary before being transferred to Booth Hall Children's Hospital where her condition is said to be "comfortable".
She had both legs amputated below the knee following the accident on Friday.
It is reported that the teenager had been sitting on the end of the Yew Tree Swing Bridge, off Buxton Lane, Droylsden, with her legs dangling over the side, when it slammed shut, trapping her by the ankles.
It is understood her friends pushed the bridge open to free her before emergency services arrived at the scene.
The bridge over Ashton Canal is fixed at one end and opens like a gate, to permit barges to travel along the waterway.
Swing bridges are locked and should only be opened with a special key issued to boat owners. It is not clear why the Yew Tree bridge was unlocked.
British Waterways says that an investigation has been launched into the incident.
Police are treating the incident as "a tragic accident".
Jade's mother Wendy said "it is a nightmare we are going through and it's still a blank".
"We'd like to thank the emergency services, the doctors and nurses and her loyal friends who helped," she said.
It is reported that Jade has not realised the full impact of what has happened to her.
Jade is a pupil at Wright Robinson Specialist College and is preparing for mock exams.
Headteacher Neville Beischer said the had spoken to Jade's parents and they are "absolutely devastated". She said that Jade is "very popular" with staff and her peers.
(DS)
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