Carnforth boy, 7, faces long road to recovery after escalator accident

A schoolboy from Carnforth who suffered horrific injuries on a holiday when his foot got mangled in an escalator is still recovering a year on.
Seven-year-old Euan Hird is recovering following an escalator accident. He is pictured with sister Zara Hird, 4 and mum Nishala Hird.Seven-year-old Euan Hird is recovering following an escalator accident. He is pictured with sister Zara Hird, 4 and mum Nishala Hird.
Seven-year-old Euan Hird is recovering following an escalator accident. He is pictured with sister Zara Hird, 4 and mum Nishala Hird.

Euan Hird, seven, who lives with his mum Nishala and sister Zara, four, at Windermere Road, Carnforth, was only 20 minutes away from having his foot amputated when it became stuck in the bottom step of an escalator at the Gateway shopping centre in Durban in July 2015.

Brave Euan faces a possible further operation which means the risk of infection is high and could lead to amputation.

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But Euan was determined to go back to school in Over Kellet and went back in a wheelchair before using crutches to help him walk.

Seven-year-old Euan Hird is recovering following an escalator accidentSeven-year-old Euan Hird is recovering following an escalator accident
Seven-year-old Euan Hird is recovering following an escalator accident

His mum Nishala Hird said: “He was quite adamant he didn’t want to miss out on his schooling. He has done really well in his SATS.

“He is having ongoing treatment with orthopaedics in Lancaster. His foot was completely mangled.

“The majority of the bones have knitted together but he has scar tissue running round his foot which they say needs to heal before they start doing anything else.

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“We have had a hell of a 12 months, my mum has been diagnosed with bone cancer and I lost my gran at the end of the year. It puts everything into perspective that the sun always shines again. There is always someone worse off than you out there.”

Seven-year-old Euan Hird is recovering following an escalator accidentSeven-year-old Euan Hird is recovering following an escalator accident
Seven-year-old Euan Hird is recovering following an escalator accident

She said: “It’s frustration more than anything else, he is an extremely bright boy but he is taking it all in his stride. He is very understanding of the impact of his injury and he takes it each step at a time.

“He is an extremely happy boy regardless of what he has been through. The investigations into the accident are still ongoing but my priority is Euan and his wellbeing.”

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