A four-year-old boy had his toes torn off at a major UK train station after his shoe got caught in the escalator.
The child was on a day out with his family in London on New Year’s Day when the terrifying incident took place at London Bridge station.
He reportedly got his Wellington boot stuck between a step and the side of the escalator whilst he headed up to platform seven.
His mother tried to stop the escalator but to no avail so his father pulled him out of his shoe.
Despite his parent’s quick actions, the little boy did not escape unscathed.
As his foot was removed from his shoe his little toe and part of his fourth were severed.
The Evening Standard reported that a doctor who happened to be nearby treated the boy while a station worker found the toes and put them on ice.
This wasn’t enough and surgeons at St Thomas’s Hospital were unable to reattach them to the child.
Nine months on the Sittingbourne-based family are taking legal action against Network Rail.
The boy’s father said: “A lovely family day out ended in absolute disaster for us.
“I am confident our little boy wasn’t doing anything he shouldn’t have been on the escalator, we were right next to him, and it was such a frightening experience to see him suddenly trapped like that.”
He added that his son had been “really suffering” and is now terrified of going near any escalators or lifts following his horrendous ordeal.
The father added: “We felt it was important to speak out about what happened to us, so parents know to be extremely vigilant when travelling around London.”
Lawyers representing the family, Bolt Burdon Kemp, claim the escalator either needed to be repaired, was unsafe, or not working properly.
Senior Associate Ben Pepper said in a statement: “This family’s harrowing ordeal really shines a spotlight on the dangers of escalators and particularly the dangers of travelling with children.
“It’s really disappointing to see Network Rail deny liability for this issue and we hope, through our ongoing legal investigation we can identify those features of the escalator that were unsafe, and ensure this tragedy doesn’t happen to anyone else.” The law firm said Network Rail has denied liability.
A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “The safety and well-being of our passengers is always our number one priority and our thoughts are with the young boy and his family at this very difficult time.
“Everyone in Network Rail and particularly the team at London Bridge station are saddened by this incident, however, while the case is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for us to comment any further at this stage.”
