Durban - The 6-year-old boy whose foot was stuck in an escalator for three hours at a Durban mall, has returned home to the UK.
Euan Hird’s foot was mangled when it was trapped between a step and the platform of an escalator at Gateway shopping centre last month and doctors had initially feared he might lose one or more of his toes.
His mother, Nishala Hird, took him home on Saturday.
Two successful operations were undertaken on his foot by surgeons at Netcare uMhlanga Hospital.
“Euan is in good spirits and is his usual chatty self. Despite the accident he has enjoyed his stay in Durban, saying he would like to return soon,” Hird said.
“The incident was really traumatic for the whole family and particularly for Euan,” added Hird, who grew up in KwaZulu-Natal.
“It is miraculous that there was no major tendon or nerve damage or other serious injury.”
The hospital presented Euan with an award for his bravery, of which he is enormously proud.
“The nursing staff at the hospital were wonderful. We are so appreciative to the many Durban people who assisted and supported us through this ordeal,” Hird said.
Marc van Heerden, general manager of Netcare Umhlanga Hospital, said the boy had shown great courage.
“He underwent an exceptionally distressing experience. Nevertheless, he was cheerful throughout his time with us, discussing every aspect of his care and progress with the surgeons and nurses. He fully deserved his award,” Van Heerden said.
Hird said it was not surprising that her son asked the doctors about his treatment.
“He is a bright boy and has been adamant that he wants to be a neurosurgeon ever since he was 3 years old.
“He was consequently fascinated by the hospital and how it works, and asked his surgeons how they were going to go about repairing his foot.”
Daily News