Durban - The mother of the boy whose foot became jammed in a Durban shopping centre escalator last week has told of her horror at seeing her 6-year-old son trapped and in pain.
Speaking to the Daily News at a relative’s home in Chatsworth, Nishala Hird said Euan, 6, underwent surgery on Friday and there was talk he would lose his foot.
Doctors cleaned and closed the wound to reduce the risk of amputation.
“Seeing his foot in that position (in the escalator) I was in total disbelief. Nothing can prepare you for something like that,” she said.
“I am not sure about the long-term damage; I am not sure if he will walk properly again,” Nishala said.
Euan’s right foot was mangled - resulting in compound fractures when it became stuck between the escalator step and the platform.
He had been with his family and parents at Gateway shopping centre when the incident happened as they were making their way down to the main forecourt from the first floor.
“Euan is a brave boy. He went through a tough patch. When they considered amputating his foot I lost hope,” she said.
Nishala said she was at the restaurant with relatives when she got the call that Euan had been hurt.
“When I got there a lady was holding him. Everyone was scrambling around him. Then I noticed his foot was lodged in a gap. It is hard to explain what went through my mind. So many mixed emotions,” Nishala said.
She was told to keep the pressure off his foot and keep it straight so no further damage was done.
“I sat on an escalator step and Euan sat on my leg. As a parent you can’t think of any discomfort - you have to bear it. You want him to come out of it okay.
“My son will be wheelchair-bound for six to eight weeks. There is a possibility that he may require more surgery,” she said.
The family live in the UK and were in South Africa on a five-week break.
Nishala’s husband, Will, and her daughter, Zara, have left the country and Nishala is still deciding when she and Euan will return home to Lancashire.
Euan, seated in a wheelchair with his right leg on a footrest, said he wanted to go home and play tennis.
Since the accident the public support has been overwhelming.
“We give thanks to all who helped us, there are too many to mention, but something like this shows how good people are,” she said.
Daily News