Browse Sections
Interactive
Popular Sections
Spotty showersNews
| 
Submit Comments
Jade Smethurst, 15
advertisement
Girl's swing bridge horror
24/ 6/2008
THE parents of a schoolgirl who had both legs amputated after an horrendous accident have told of their `living nightmare'.
Jade Smethurst, 15, was trapped between a heavy concrete and steel swing bridge and the concrete bank.
She was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary before being transferred to Booth Hall Children's Hospital, where her condition is `comfortable'.
It is understood an investigation will try to discover if the bridge was left unlocked by a boat user or vandalised.
It is believed Jade was sitting on the end of the Yew Tree Swing Bridge, off Buxton Lane, Droylsden, with her legs dangling over the side when it slammed shut, trapping her.
Her friends are said to have pushed the bridge open to free her before the emergency services arrived.
It is understood Jade, from Gorton, had been playing on the bridge with pals.
Jade's mother Wendy said: "None of us are thinking straight at the moment.
"It is still a nightmare we are going through and it's still a blank.
Friends
"At the moment she is comfortable and we have not really spoken to her about it. We'd like to thank the emergency services, the doctors and nurses and her loyal friends who helped."
Karen Dean, 49, whose 15-year-old son Garth was with Jade, lives yards from the bridge and tried to comfort her until an ambulance arrived.
Ms Dean, a former accident and emergency department worker, said: "My daughter heard screaming and crying and I went out.
"Jade was crying for her mum and I tried to comfort her. She was conscious throughout and responding as I spoke to her. I feared she would lose her legs and said so to a colleague.
"I've been to see her in hospital and spoken to her but I don't know if the full impact of what happened to her has sunk in."
Swing bridges, which turn only at one end, opening like a gate, to allow boats to pass.
The bridges are locked and should only be opened with a key issued to boat users.
Jade is a pupil at Wright Robinson Specialist College and is preparing for mock exams.
Assistant head of Year 10, Liz Askew, said: "Jade is very popular with staff and her peers. She loves textiles and has asked for her work to be brought to the hospital."
Headteacher Neville Beischer said: "I've spoken to Jade's parents and they are absolutely devastated. We hope to see her back in school soon."
A spokeswoman for British Waterways said: "We are conducting an investigation into the incident and cannot comment until we know exactly what has happened."
Got an opinion you want to share?| Company | Typical APR |
| Platinum Exclusive Loan | 7.8% |
| Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) | 8.6% |
| Halifax (Semi-exclusive) | 8.6% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 8.7% |
| Sainsbury's Personal Loan | 8.9% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Savings Account |
5.50% |
|
SAINSBURYS FINANCE Internet Saver |
3.50% |
|
FIRST DIRECT Everyday e-Saver |
2.75% |
|
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER Online Tracker |
6.00% |
|
ABBEY Instant Access Saver (Special Issue 2) |
6.00% |
|
ING DIRECT Savings Account |
6.00% |
|
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER eSaver - Issue 2 |
6.30% |
|
ABBEY eSaver Direct |
6.00% |
|
POST OFFICE Instant Saver |
3.75% |