Girl, 6, got leg stuck in drain

Russell Steele 1627 - 1627 • Published 12 Jun 2009 14:00

A FRIGHTENED schoolgirl became trapped in a park drain left damaged by vandals - and had to be freed by firefighters.

Little Robyn Strachan was at Battery Park with friends when her foot became wedged down the small gap because a cover to protect it had been removed.

The six-year-old Gourock Primary pupil had been enjoying a day out in the sun with her mum when she suddenly found herself having to be rescued by a crew from Greenock Fire Station, who were called in by Inverclyde Leisure staff.

Robyn"s mum, Shirley Thomson, said: 'Robyn went to get an ice cream with her friend and the next I knew a lady ran over to me to say she had got her leg stuck down a hole.

'Her leg was down the gap to halfway up her shin and she banged her other leg as she fell. People came over to help but we couldn"t budge her and the fire brigade had to come.'

Fortunately, Robyn ended up uninjured after her ordeal last week - and her mum is just relieved she escaped unscathed.

Shirley, of Henderson Terrace, said: 'Having the fire brigade come down, as well as all the people who gathered around Robyn, made her panic.

'She put a brave face on but she got a fright. The cover had been taken off - I"m not sure for how long - but there were loads of young kids in the park and at that age they don"t look down to see where they"re putting their feet. It could have been worse.'

Inverclyde Leisure chiefs said today they were aware of the situation and would ensure the drain lid could not be easily dislodged in future.

David McCorkindale, of Inverclyde Leisure, said: 'I have been down to see where it happened and a very small drain, about the size of a CD, has had its cover taken off by vandals.

'We have taken steps to prevent anyone from doing that again. We would appeal to people not to do this sort of thing, given the potential consequences it could have had.'

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 12 Jun 09

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