On mend after escalator horror

A family have spoken of their gratitude after their holiday turned into a nightmare when their son came within minutes of having his foot amputated.
Eaun Hird at his home in Carnforth.Eaun Hird at his home in Carnforth.
Eaun Hird at his home in Carnforth.

Euan Hird, six, from Carnforth, is said to be doing well after nearly losing his foot when it became trapped in the bottom step of an escalator in South Africa.

For three hours mum Nishala had to sit Euan on her lap, at the Gateway shopping centre in Durban, to avoid further injuries to his leg.

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Nishala, dad Will and sister Zara are grateful to have Euan back in one piece but admit his recovery will be a slow one.

Nishala said: “Euan is still wheelchair-bound, there is a lot of damage to his foot so it will take a while until he is back on his feet.

“His foot was completely crushed so there is nerve damage and circulation issues.

“At the moment the bones in his foot are setting so the main thing is to keep him moving.

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“In his self he is still quite bubbly but it has affected him, the trauma of it all, he still remembers.

“Emotionally it has took its toll, he is quite weepy but these things will take time.

“It is going to be a slow progress.”

Since the traumatic ordeal in July Euan has had two operations to have his bones reset and to close the wound – his wound needs to be redressed every two days.

Although the incident has shook the family they are determined more than ever to get Euan back into a normal routine.

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Euan will go back to Wilson Endowed School in Over Kellet on Thursday. Nishala said: “We spoke to the principal and she has been great, this will be a massive thing for him.

“I don’t know any other six-year-old who enjoys school as much as he does. We are just grateful he has come back alive and with his foot.

“It will be good having some sort of routine but we are all plodding along.

“He is such a brave 
boy.”

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