25/07/2006

Toddler saved by off-duty doctor

The father of a three-year-old girl who was seriously injured in the inflatable sculpture tragedy in Co. Durham has told how an off-duty anaesthetist "probably saved her life".

Rosie Wright was badly crushed when the 'Dreamspace' inflatable sculpture broke its moorings and rose about 30 feet in the air, before colliding with a post supporting a CCTV camera, which brought it to the ground, in Riverside Park, Chester-le-Street on Sunday afternoon.

Rosie collided with a large metal fan and her injuries included leg fractures and a punctured lung.

Her father, Lee Wright, said that the anaesthetist who was walking through the park was able to tell paramedics what to do and place a tube down the child's throat. He told reporters that the experience was "absolutely horrible".

Rosie remains at Newcastle General Hospital, where a spokesperson described her condition as "comfortable and stable".

The doctor has now been named as Dr Peter Evans who works at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Two women were killed when the sculpture, designed by Martin Agis, flipped into the air.

Claire Furmedge, 38, from Chester-le-Street and 68-year-old Elizabeth Collings from Seaham, died in the incident.

Twelve other people were also injured.

It is believed that up to 30 people were inside the inflatable, which features inflated rooms, constructed out of translucent PVC sheets, which are connected by tunnels allowing the public to walk around inside.

Police have not ruled out foul play as the cause of the incident, although the hot weather is believed to be a possible cause.

(KMcA)

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