Oakleigh Lewis, 2, hospitalised after suffering serious burns at Grafton council-run park
A shell-shocked mother is demanding answers after her two-year-old daughter suffered severe burns from an overheated council-owned playground slide. Here’s the latest.
Grafton
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A shell-shocked mother is demanding answers after her two-year-old daughter suffered severe burns from an overheated council-owned playground slide.
On January 24, the “horrific screams” of Oakleigh Lewis turned a fun family trip to the local playground into a living nightmare.
Mother Shakirra Stewart raced to her toddler who was “stuck to a metal slide” at the Grafton Jacaranda Playground.
“I didn’t know what was happening, she was just screaming at that point so I just picked her off the slide,” Ms Stewart told this publication.
“As I was carrying Oakleigh, her knee melted — like skin dripping off her knee and a massive blister had already formed on her foot.”
Ms Stewart and her mother rushed the toddler – who was in agony - to Grafton Base Hospital.
It was at the hospital she received temporary treatment but had to return three days later for further assessment.
Oakleigh then spent time between Lismore and Gold Coast University Hospital where she was eventually admitted on February 19.
She has since had two skin grafts and is currently connected to a pressure therapy machine.
In the wake of the incident, Ms Stewart wants Clarence Valley Council (CVC) to urgently revise their playground equipment policies and to provide shade and signage.
Council is not accused of any wrongdoing.
The family said they put in a formal complaint to CVC within days of the incident but have not heard back. CVC has been contacted for comment.
A fundraiser has been launched to assist Ms Stewart as Oakleigh’s treatment continues at Gold Coast University Hospital.
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