Boy’s finger severed in accident on park training equipment

Curtis Crossland had part of his finger sliced off while using a cross trainer at a park in Sowerby Bridge, Halifax, in front of his horrified younger brother Ellis, eight.

His family claims that as he gathered speed the broken handle on the cross trainer caused it to spin 360 degrees, throwing his legs off the machine while trapping a finger on his left hand. After being rushed to Bradford Royal Infirmary with the finger hanging by a thread, Curtis, from Drighlington, was told doctors could not re-attach it.

Following the accident at Crow Wood Park, Curtis has suffered nightmares and has been receiving trauma therapy to help him cope with the incident.

His mother Amanda says the accident on September 1 could have been avoided if Calderdale council had maintained the park more often.

She has begun legal action against the council and contacted personal injury experts Slater & Gordon to help her get compensation.

Mrs Crossland, 41, said: “This isn’t just a grazed knee or a bruise; my son has lost his finger for life and also has the emotional scars. We now want answers.”

Donna Kipling of Slater & Gordon said: “The local authority has a duty to visitors to provide and maintain a safe environment.”

Calderdale council said it was “very sorry to hear of the accident” but could not comment further “as a legal process is underway”.