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Missing grate fury as young bike boy Declan is injured

Simon Thacker
27/ 7/2006

AN ANGRY mother hit out after her son was injured when he rode his bike over a dangerous open drain which had been without a grate for months.

Janet Fogarty, 24, of Within Grove, Huncoat, slammed Lancashire County Council for failing to fit the gaping hole with a new cover after her five-year-old son Declan was hurt while playing near his home.

Janet, who also has a daughter Shannon, seven, said: "He went out to play on his bike and a woman brought him back with cuts and bruises. He had also cut open his top lip when he fell over the handlebars.

"I cleaned him up as best I could and took him to Accrington Victoria Hospital and then the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

"He was lucky as he only got a graze on his face but I was shocked when I first saw him."

Janet said that her brave son had never once cried while being treated for his cuts and bruises at the hospital.

She added: "It could have been a lot worse. It could have been an old person as they often use the area as a short cut when coming back from shopping."

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "We investigated the matter of the missing grate as soon as it was reported to us and it has since been replaced.

"We had a spate of grates being stolen in the area earlier this year. Removing these grates is not only a crime but highly dangerous and irresponsible as it increases the likelihood of someone being injured.

"We do inspect all streets but would appeal to the public to report any problems, especially if they could be dangerous."